Is E572 / E573 (Magnesium and aluminium stearates) 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.
Magnesium stearate (E572, INS 572) and aluminium stearate (E573) are metal salts of stearic acid.
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 | |
| U.S. FDA — Food additives U.S. Food and Drug Administration | 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, 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.
- undisclosed · Typical Halal if verified Most labels print only the E-number or US name. Treat as mashbooh until a plant, vegan, or Halal claim settles the fat.
Why this ruling
Magnesium stearate is the flow agent in a huge share of tablets. Codex numbers it INS 572; older EU paperwork used E572. E573 is aluminium stearate. Neither metal is the Halal issue. Stearic acid may be palm or tallow.[4][2]
It is not on the current EU Union list.[1] US labels still print the name constantly. Unspecified magnesium stearate is mashbooh.[5] 'Vegetable stearate' or a Halal mark closes it. Still check whether the capsule is gelatin.
Where you'll find it
- Tablet and capsule flow agent
- Confectionery anti-caking (legacy / non-EU)
How to verify
1) Match magnesium stearate, vegetable stearate, E572, INS 572, or aluminium/aluminum stearate (E573). 2) 'Vegetable stearate' or Halal-certified capsules settle it. 3) Related food salts are E470a/b; free acids are E570.
- E572 = magnesium stearate.
- Stearic acid source decides.
- Not a current EU food-additive code; still used on US labels.
Conditions for Halal
- Vegetable stearate or Halal-certified tablet → Halal
- Pork or non-zabiha tallow stearate → haram
- Unspecified magnesium stearate / E572 → Halal if verified
- Capsule shells (gelatin vs HPMC) are a separate check
Scholarly differences
Magnesium stearate is one of the most searched Halal supplement ingredients. The metal is not the issue; stearic acid is. Do not invent a fatwa that all magnesium stearate is haram, or that all of it is palm.
Frequently asked questions
Is magnesium stearate Halal?
Is E572 legal in the EU?
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
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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:
-
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
US identity / labelling context—not a Halal ruling.
Retrieved:
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