Is Polyoxyethylene (40) Stearate (E431 / INS 431) Halal?
Polyoxyethylene (40) Stearate is doubtful (mushbooh) — its halal status depends on the source. Fatty-acid derivative emulsifier; Halal if 100% plant fat, haram if pork fat.
Why this status?
Fatty-acid derivative emulsifier; Halal if 100% plant fat, haram if pork fat.
Also listed on labels as
Polyoxyethylene (40) Stearate can appear on an ingredient list as E431.
What to ask the manufacturer
Ask the manufacturer in writing where the ingredient comes from: whether it is plant, microbial or animal in origin, and if it is animal, which animal and how it was slaughtered. Ask whether any alcohol was used as a solvent or carrier, and whether the product carries a halal certificate from a body your local authority recognizes. Keep the answer, because suppliers and recipes change.
Sources
Classification based on clinical nutrition assessment; no independent published study cited.
Reviewed by Habib Aman, Islamic Scholar, MBA — last reviewed September 27, 2026.
This is general guidance for everyday shopping, not a religious ruling. Formulations vary by manufacturer and country — confirm with the manufacturer or your local scholar when it matters.
Checking a whole product?
SafaScan is a halal scanner app that is coming soon. It will check Polyoxyethylene (40) Stearate and every other ingredient on a product. Sign up for launch updates. Learn about SafaScan.
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