Is E477 (Propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acids) Halal?
It depends on what the label says.
Halal if verified
High confidence About this ruling
About this ruling
- Condition
- Source disclosure is incomplete
- Evidence confidence
- High means this page cites a primary regulator listing and a named Halal certifier listing, retrieved 15 August 2026. That describes the quality of the sources on this page—not a Halal certificate for the pack or outlet in your hand.
E477 is propylene glycol esterified with fatty acids.
Evidence at a glance
Named sources used for this page. Open the full Sources block for notes and citation numbers.
| Source | Type | Retrieved |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives European Union | Regulatory / labelling | |
| EFSA — Propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acids (E477) European Food Safety Authority | Regulatory / labelling | |
| European Commission — Food additives European Commission | Regulatory / labelling | |
| Codex GSFA online FAO / WHO Codex | Regulatory / labelling | |
| SANHA — Mashbooh E-numbers SANHA | Certifier / jurisdiction |
Additive identity
Possible source pathways
The finished molecule can be identical across feedstocks. The Halal ruling follows the pathway, not the code alone.
- plant · Typical Halal Fatty acids from palm, soy, sunflower, coconut, or other vegetable oils.
- animal Halal if verified The same esters can be split from tallow or lard. Pork or non-zabiha fat is haram; audited zabiha tallow is accepted after audit.
- undisclosed · Typical Halal if verified Most labels print only the E-number or US chemical name. Treat as mashbooh until a plant, vegan, or Halal claim settles the fat.
Propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acids (E477, often PGME) show up in cakes and toppings. US lists spell the long name. The diol is not the Halal problem; the fatty acids are.[1][2]
Unspecified E477 is mashbooh.[5] Retired E478 is the lactylated cousin and is mapped here so an old code still opens this page. Free propylene glycol is E1520.
Where you'll find it
- Cakes and sponge improvers
- Whipped toppings
How to verify
1) Match E477, INS 477, PGME, or propylene glycol esters of fatty acids. 2) Fat source is the Halal question. 3) Do not confuse with E1520 (free propylene glycol).
- E477 = PGME = propylene glycol esters of fatty acids.
- Fat source decides.
- E478 is a retired cousin.
Conditions for Halal
- Plant-fat grade, or vegetarian/vegan claim → Halal
- Halal-certified SKU → Halal
- Pork or non-zabiha fat → haram
- Unspecified lot → Halal if verified
Scholarly differences
Propylene glycol itself is not khamr. The Halal issue is the fatty acid, as with E471.
Frequently asked questions
Is propylene glycol haram?
What is E478?
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
-
SANHA
Source-dependent additives listed mashbooh pending origin.
Retrieved:
Regulatory / labelling
-
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives
European Union
Union-list identity—not a Halal certificate.
Retrieved:
-
EFSA — Propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acids (E477)
European Food Safety Authority
Propylene glycol plus fatty acids of vegetable or animal origin.
Retrieved:
-
-
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