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Is Tartaric acid and tartrates (E334–E337, E353, E354) 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

Tartaric acid may be recovered from grape lees or made by other routes.

Evidence at a glance

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

Source Type Retrieved
EFSA — Re-evaluation of L(+)-tartaric acid and tartrates (E334–E337, E354) European Food Safety Authority Regulatory / labelling
21 CFR § 184.1099 tartaric 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
E334, E335, E336, E337, E353, E354
Codex INS
INS 334, INS 335, INS 336, INS 337, INS 353, INS 354
Function
acidity regulator
Family
tartrates
EU Union list
authorised
Names
Tartaric acid; Sodium tartrates; Potassium tartrates; Sodium potassium tartrate; Metatartaric acid; Calcium tartrate; Cream of tartar

Possible source pathways

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

  • plant · Typical Halal Botanical identity. No animal tissue is required for standard food grade.

E-number database Compare this family

White crystals standing in for cream of tartar

Photo: Lauri Andler (Phantom) · CC BY-SA 3.0

Why this ruling

Tartaric acid (E334) and tartrate salts (E335–E337, E353, E354) are Halal acidity regulators.[3][5] Cream of tartar is the baking-cupboard name.

Grape origin does not turn the crystal into wine.

Where you'll find it

  • Baking powder and sweets
  • Grape-product acidity

How to verify

1) Match E334–E337, E353, E354, tartaric acid, or cream of tartar. 2) Halal as a food additive. 3) Wine itself remains haram.

  • Tartrates → Halal food acids.
  • Not a glass of wine.
  • Common in baking powder.

Conditions for Halal

  • E334 family as food additive → Halal
  • Wine / wine sauce → still alcohol

Scholarly differences

This is the same practical outcome as cream-of-tartar bakery rulings: the crystal is not wine. A minority who avoid all grape-industry streams can skip it; this site follows the mainstream Halal-additive reading.

Frequently asked questions

Is cream of tartar from wine?
Often from grape deposits. The authorised food acid is treated as Halal, not as wine.
Is it the same as tartaric acid?
Cream of tartar is typically potassium bitartrate (in the E336 family).

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. EFSA — Re-evaluation of L(+)-tartaric acid and tartrates (E334–E337, E354)

    European Food Safety Authority

    Substance identity—not a Halal certificate for a finished pack.

    Retrieved:

  2. 21 CFR § 184.1099 tartaric acid

    U.S. eCFR

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

    Retrieved:

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

    European Union

    Union-list identity—not a Halal certificate.

    Retrieved:

  4. European Commission — Food additives

    European Commission

    EU additive literacy hub.

    Retrieved:

  5. Codex GSFA online

    FAO / WHO Codex

    Codex INS / GSFA identity.

    Retrieved:

  6. U.S. FDA — Food additives

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration

    US identity / labelling context—not a Halal ruling.

    Retrieved:

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