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Ingredient guides for shoppers and developer notes on how HalalScan is built.
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Ingredient guides
Is mono propylene glycol a halal alternative in food flavorings?
A short Q&A on why alcohol-based aromas are problematic, what E1520 is, and why mono propylene glycol is widely used as a halal solvent carrier instead.
June 19, 2026
Is carmine (E120) halal?
Carmine is a red food coloring made from crushed insects. It appears in yogurt, juice, candy, and cosmetics. Here's everything you need to know.
March 10, 2025
The Muslim's guide to E-numbers
E-numbers are EU codes for food additives. Some are derived from haram sources. This guide covers which ones to watch out for.
February 1, 2025
What is gelatin and why is it haram?
Gelatin is one of the most common hidden animal-derived ingredients in processed foods. Here's what it is, where it hides, and how to spot it.
January 15, 2025
Mono- and diglycerides and their esters (E471, E472)
Mono- and diglycerides are common food emulsifiers that can be derived from animal or plant sources. GIMDES examines the halal status of these additives.
May 10, 2018
Alcohol in food flavorings
Most flavorings used in the food industry are essences dissolved in alcohol. The majority of Islamic scholars hold that foods containing aroma extracted in alcohol are not halal.
January 12, 2017