🇬🇧 Article

Are E621, E627 and E631 Halal?

What are these additives?

These are flavor enhancers that create the savory "umami" taste in crisps, instant noodles, snacks, sauces and processed foods:

• E621 — monosodium glutamate (MSG)
• E627 — disodium guanylate
• E631 — disodium inosinate (often combined with E627 as E635)

The halal status, one by one

• E621 (MSG) — today it is produced almost entirely by bacterial fermentation of plant sugars, which is halal. (Historically it could come from wheat or beet.) Widely considered halal.
• E627 (disodium guanylate) — doubtful. Can be made from yeast extract (halal), dried fish (halal), or pork (not halal). The label discloses only the E-number, never the source.
• E631 (disodium inosinate) — doubtful, with a higher concern than E627. Can come from fish/sardines (halal), microbial fermentation (halal), or animal/pork muscle (not halal). Again, the source is never on the label.

How to check — always verify

• A halal certification is the only definitive confirmation.
• A vegan label rules out animal/fish/pork sources for E627/E631 (pointing to yeast or fermentation).
• Contact the manufacturer to ask the source of E627/E631.

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Qoot scans the barcode and flags doubtful enhancers like E627 and E631, so you know which products to verify. Qoot is launching soon. Join the waitlist.

This article is for general information only and is NOT a religious ruling (fatwa). Sourcing varies by manufacturer and country and can change. Always verify with the manufacturer and consult a qualified scholar for a definitive ruling.