Is MSG (E621) Halal?

MSG – monosodium glutamate, E621 – is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, and it is Halal. E620 is glutamic acid itself, and E622–E625 are its potassium, calcium, ammonium and magnesium salts.^[1] US labels spell the name out; EU labels usually give the code.

Made by fermentation

Glutamate is the savoury "umami" compound found naturally in tomatoes, parmesan, mushrooms and seaweed. It was first isolated in 1908 by the Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda from kombu broth. Modern MSG is not extracted from anything animal: bacteria ferment a plant carbohydrate such as starch, sugar beet or cane molasses, and the glutamic acid they produce is crystallised as its sodium salt.^[2] That is why contemporary Halal bodies treat food-grade MSG as Halal, and certifier E-number lists put it with the additives that need no source check.^[5]

Certification still has a job here. Fermentation needs a nutrient medium, and in a well-known 2001 case in Indonesia a producer was found to have used a pork-derived enzyme in preparing that medium. The finished MSG contained no pork, but the process was rejected and changed. It is why large Muslim markets buy certified MSG, not a reason to doubt MSG as an ingredient.

Where you will find it

Stock cubes and gravy granules, crisps and flavoured snacks, instant noodles, seasoning blends, ready meals and restaurant cooking in many cuisines. Soy sauce and yeast extract contain glutamate naturally.

What to check on the same pack

• E627, E631 and E635 – disodium guanylate and inosinate, often paired with MSG to boost it. They can come from fermentation or from meat and fish, so they need their own check: see E627, E631 and E635.
• Hydrolysed animal protein and meat extracts – listed separately from MSG and dependent on the animal.
• The meat itself in a stock cube or ready meal.