Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids

Most common emulsifier in packaged food (bread, margarine, ice cream, chocolate, dairy)

SANHA, ANIC 2018, JAKIM Handbook 2010, IFANCA + MUI, AHF, and MUIS all classify this as doubtful.

Based on 6 cited authorities. Confidence: high.

What authorities say

6 authorities on record

6say Doubtful

Saying Doubtful6 of 6

SANHA

Glyceryl Monostearate, synthetically from glycerin and fatty acids. Check source

ANIC 2018

471 (Mono-glyceride and Di-glyceride) — Questionable. Halal only when the source is plant

JAKIM Handbook 2010

Mushbooh, Halal if it is from plant fat, Haraam if it is from pork fat

IFANCA + MUI

Mushbooh — halal if 100% plant-based oils or zabiha beef fat; haram if pork or non-zabiha

AHF

Avoid E471 unless explicitly labeled vegetable mono & diglycerides or the finished product carries a recognized halal logo (May 2025)

MUIS

MUIS Food Additive Listing (2016): Commercially prepared from glycerin (E422) and fatty acids.

Why this verdict

E471 is an emulsifier found in bread, ice cream, margarine, chocolate, and dairy products. SANHA, ANIC 2018, JAKIM Handbook 2010, IFANCA, MUI, and AHF all classify E471 as Mushbooh. It can be derived from plant oils, zabihah-slaughtered beef tallow, or non-zabihah beef or pork fat. MUIS marks E471 as syubhah, noting it is commercially prepared from glycerin (E422) and fatty acids. Because the fatty-acid source is rarely disclosed on the label, E471 is doubtful by default.

Food-safety note

Permitted as an emulsifier in Australia and New Zealand under the Food Standards Code (Schedule 15). The most common food emulsifier, used in bread, margarine, ice cream, and chocolate; assessed safe and well tolerated at the levels used in food. (Source: FSANZ; Food Standards Code Schedule 15.)

Common questions

Is E471 halal?

Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids (E471) is classified doubtful. SANHA, ANIC 2018, JAKIM Handbook 2010, IFANCA + MUI, AHF, and MUIS classify it as doubtful.

What is E471 made from?

Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids (E471) is commonly found in Bread, margarine, ice cream, and chocolate.

What is a halal alternative to E471?

Halal-considered alternatives include Lecithins (E322).

Try instead

E322Lecithins

Found in

Breadmargarineice creamchocolatepeanut butterbaked goodsinfant formula

Also known as

Glyceryl Monostearate, Distearate, Monostearin, GMS, Mono-diglycerides, MAG, DAG, Mono - and di-glycerides of fatty acids, Mono - and diglycerides of fatty acids.