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Is Malic, fumaric, adipic and succinic acids (E296, E297, E350–E357, E363) Halal?

Yes — this one is Halal.

Halal

High confidence About this ruling

About this ruling

Evidence confidence
High means this page cites a primary regulator listing and a named Halal certifier listing, retrieved 16 August 2026. That describes the quality of the sources on this page—not a Halal certificate for the pack or outlet in your hand.
How we score High, Medium, and Low

Malic, fumaric, adipic, and succinic acids and their salts are Halal acidity regulators used in sweets and drinks.

Evidence at a glance

Named sources used for this page. Open the full Sources block for notes and citation numbers.

Source Type Retrieved
21 CFR § 184.1069 malic acid U.S. eCFR Regulatory / labelling
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives European Union Regulatory / labelling
European Commission — Food additives European Commission Regulatory / labelling
Codex GSFA online FAO / WHO Codex Regulatory / labelling
SANHA — E-numbers SANHA Certifier / jurisdiction
U.S. FDA — Food additives U.S. Food and Drug Administration Regulatory / labelling

Full Sources

Additive identity

E-number
E296, E297, E350, E351, E352, E355, E356, E357, E363
Codex INS
INS 296, INS 297, INS 350, INS 351, INS 352, INS 355, INS 356, INS 357, INS 363
Function
acidity regulator
Family
acids
EU Union list
authorised
Names
Malic acid; Fumaric acid; Sodium malates; Potassium malate; Calcium malates; Adipic acid; Sodium adipate; Potassium adipate; Succinic acid

Possible source pathways

The finished molecule can be identical across feedstocks. The Halal ruling follows the pathway, not the code alone.

  • synthetic · Typical Halal Synthetic or mineral identity. No animal tissue in the finished additive.

E-number database

Apple juice, a typical malic-acid drink

Why this ruling

Malic acid (E296), fumaric acid (E297), malate salts (E350–E352), adipates (E355–E357), and succinic acid (E363) are Halal acidity regulators.[2][4]

Citric acid and acetic acid have their own pages.

Where you'll find it

  • Sweets and powdered drinks
  • Bakery acidulants

How to verify

1) Match E296, E297, E350–E357, E363, malic acid, or fumaric acid. 2) Halal. 3) Citric acid is on E330.

  • These fruit acids → Halal.
  • Not citric acid.
  • Not vinegar.

Conditions for Halal

  • E296/E297/E350–E357/E363 → Halal
  • Citric acid is a sister page (E330)

Scholarly differences

These acids are not a madhhab dispute. Apple-sounding 'malic' does not mean the drink is juice-only—read sugar and flavour too.

Frequently asked questions

Is malic acid from apples only?
Food-grade E296 is usually fermentation or synthesis. Both routes are Halal.
Is fumaric acid Halal?
Yes. E297 is an organic acid, not an animal product.

Sources

Named Islamic, certifier, manufacturer, and regulatory sources used on this page. Inline markers like [1] jump here. Retrieval dates show when we last checked the live URL. Editorial methodology.

Certifier / jurisdiction

  1. SANHA — E-numbers

    SANHA

    Certifier: SANHA

    Certifier E-number literacy; not a product certificate.

    Retrieved:

Regulatory / labelling

  1. 21 CFR § 184.1069 malic acid

    U.S. eCFR

    U.S. identity / GRAS or colour-additive listing—not a Halal ruling.

    Retrieved:

  2. Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives

    European Union

    Union-list identity—not a Halal certificate.

    Retrieved:

  3. European Commission — Food additives

    European Commission

    EU additive literacy hub.

    Retrieved:

  4. Codex GSFA online

    FAO / WHO Codex

    Codex INS / GSFA identity.

    Retrieved:

  5. U.S. FDA — Food additives

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration

    US identity / labelling context—not a Halal ruling.

    Retrieved:

Browse this topic

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Applies to
General ruling; confirm local labels, slaughter, and certification when relevant
Last reviewed