Mono and diglycerides (commonly known by the additive code E471) are widely used in the food industry as emulsifiers.
| For Muslim consumers and food manufacturers, an important question arises: are mono- and diglycerides halal? The short answer is that these additives can be halal if they are sourced from permissible (halal) ingredients, but they are haram if derived from prohibited sources. |
This article provides a scientific overview of:
- What mono and diglycerides are
- Their halal status according to global halal standards
- Main halal concern (animal vs. plant origin of ingredients)
- How manufacturers can ensure these emulsifiers meet halal requirements
What Are Mono- and Diglycerides?
Mono- and diglycerides are fatty substances classified as “partial glycerides”. In a monoglyceride, one fatty acid is attached (the other two positions on glycerol are occupied by hydroxyl groups), whereas a diglyceride has two fatty acids attached. Essentially, mono and diglycerides are what you get when a triglyceride loses one or two fatty acid tails, leaving a glycerol molecule bonded to the remaining fatty acid(s).
This small change turns a typical fat into an emulsifier, a substance that helps keep oil and water mixed together. Mono- and diglycerides are one of the most common emulsifiers used in foods worldwide, found in everything from baked goods and margarine to ice cream, peanut butter, and plant-based milks.
| Do you know: Mono- and diglycerides (and their derivatives) account for over 70% of all emulsifiers used in the food industry. |
Why are mono and diglycerides added to food?
Their primary function is to stabilize mixtures of fats and water. By having a glycerol part that likes water and fatty acid parts that like oil, these molecules can position themselves at the interface of water and oil droplets. This prevents separation and creates a uniform, stable mixture.
For example, in bread dough they strengthen the dough and keep it soft, in ice cream they help maintain a creamy consistency, and in peanut butter or chocolate they prevent the fat from separating out. In short, mono- and diglycerides are valued as emulsifiers and texturizers that improve food quality and consistency.
Halal Concerns: Source of Glycerol and Fatty Acids
In Islamic dietary law, the permissibility of an ingredient depends greatly on its source. Here’s a useful explainer:
| Aspect | Explanation |
| Islamic Law on Ingredients | Any substance derived from pork is haram. Anything from other animals is also haram if not slaughtered per zabihah (Islamic slaughter) rules. Istiḥālah does not apply here, as mono- and diglycerides are only re-arranged fats, not fully transformed. The original source remains critical. |
| Plant-Based Mono-/Diglycerides | If made from 100% plant oils (like soybean, palm, sunflower), they are halal. Most commercial E471 uses vegetable oils for cost and dietary reasons. |
| Animal-Based Mono-/Diglycerides | Animal fats can be used and are cheaper in some cases. This is why sources “cannot be excluded.” |
| From Pork or Non-Zabihah Sources | If sourced from pork fat (lard) or non-zabihah animal fat (e.g. beef tallow not slaughtered per Islamic rules), the mono-/diglyceride is haram – the source is impure and forbidden. |
| From Halal Animal Sources | If from halal-slaughtered beef or similar, it can be halal only if strict segregation and documentation are ensured to avoid cross-contamination. In practice, halal-certified animal fat for E471 is rare but possible. |
| Cross-Contamination Risks | Even plant-based mono-/diglycerides can be non-halal if produced on the same equipment as haram materials without proper cleaning. Validated cleaning is crucial to avoid contamination. |
How Can Manufacturers Ensure Halal Compliance for Mono & Diglycerides?
Both manufacturers and consumers have roles to play in ensuring that mono- and diglycerides in foods are halal:
- Manufacturers’ Responsibility
Food producers who want to market their products as halal must take concrete steps to guarantee that any E471 they use is sourced and handled correctly.
- Firstly, sourcing matters; companies should use only plant-based oils or halal-certified animal fat when producing or purchasing mono-/diglycerides. Every supplier of fatty acids or glycerol should provide halal certificates or documentation verifying the halal status of their materials.
- Secondly, manufacturers must prevent cross-contamination in processing. Ideally, production lines for emulsifiers (and the foods containing them) should be dedicated to halal-only ingredients. If that is not feasible, strict cleaning protocols (CIP) must be in place to thoroughly cleanse any equipment that may also process non-halal fats.
- Thirdly, companies are encouraged to label mono- and diglycerides as “vegetable” on ingredient lists when applicable and pursue recognized halal certification for their products. Obtaining halal certification from a reputable body such as the Canadian Halal Bureau provides assurance that the product meets global halal standards.
- Consumer Tips
For Muslim consumers, the simplest way to ensure mono- and diglycerides are halal is:
- To check for a halal-certified logo on the product. A halal certification symbol from a trusted authority like CHB means an independent expert has already verified the ingredient sources and production process.
- If no logo is present, read the ingredients: look for descriptors such as “vegetable mono- & diglycerides” which indicate plant origin.
- When in doubt, you can contact the manufacturer to ask about the source of their E471. Many companies will clarify if their emulsifier is vegetable-derived.
In a Nutshell
To put it in a nutshell, mono- and diglycerides are generally halal provided they are derived from halal sources. When these emulsifiers come from plant-based oils or from animals slaughtered according to Islamic law, they are permissible for Muslims to consume. To be safe, Muslim consumers are encouraged to look for halal certification on products, or at least a clear indication of plant-derived ingredients. Reputable halal certifiers worldwide (CHB and AHF).