Is E620–E625 (Glutamic acid and glutamates / MSG) 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 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.
Glutamic acid (E620) and its sodium, potassium, calcium, ammonium, and magnesium salts (E621–E625) are fermentation glutamates.
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 — Re-evaluation of glutamic acid (E620) and glutamates (E621–E625) European Food Safety Authority | Regulatory / labelling | |
| European Commission — Food additives European Commission | Regulatory / labelling | |
| Codex GSFA online FAO / WHO Codex | Regulatory / labelling | |
| SANHA — 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.
- microbial · Typical Halal Produced by fermentation of plant carbohydrates or as a defined microbial metabolite.
- plant · Typical Halal The fermentation feedstock is plant.
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Ustas~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). · CC BY-SA 3.0
Why this ruling
MSG—monosodium glutamate, E621, INS 621—is the sodium salt of glutamic acid. E620 is the parent acid; E622–E625 are the other salts. US labels spell the name; EU labels use the codes. They are produced by fermenting plant carbohydrates. That identity is Halal.[1][2]
What is not automatic is the rest of a seasoning blend. Disodium inosinate and guanylate (E631, E627, E635) are different additives with extract-versus-fermentation questions.
Where you'll find it
- Crisps, instant noodles, and bouillon
- Restaurant savoury seasoning
How to verify
1) Match MSG, glutamic acid, E620–E625, or INS 621. 2) Treat ordinary glutamates as Halal. 3) If the same seasoning lists E627, E631, or E635, verify those nucleotides separately.
- E621 = MSG = fermented glutamate → Halal.
- E620 and E622–E625 are the rest of the glutamate salts.
- Check nucleotide companions separately.
Conditions for Halal
- Standard fermented glutamic acid / MSG / E620–E625 → Halal
- Still verify E627/E631/E635 on the same pack
- Do not confuse MSG with hydrolysed animal protein or meat extracts listed separately
Scholarly differences
MSG is not a Scholarly difference case in the way carmine is. Contemporary Halal bodies treat fermented glutamate as Halal. Older rumours about pork-derived MSG do not match the EFSA/Codex identity of E621 as a fermentation product.
Frequently asked questions
Is MSG Halal?
Is MSG the same as disodium inosinate?
What are E622–E625?
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
Regulatory / labelling
-
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives
European Union
Union-list identity—not a Halal certificate.
Retrieved:
-
EFSA — Re-evaluation of glutamic acid (E620) and glutamates (E621–E625)
European Food Safety Authority
Identity of MSG as a glutamate salt; production by fermentation.
Retrieved:
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