E285 Sodium tetraborate — is it halal?

Ruling: Mashbuh (doubtful)

Description

Sodium tetraborate (borax) — from sodium borate ores (tincal, kernite) and natural brines by dissolution and recrystallisation (c1); in China also from boron-magnesium ore or boron-bearing slag with soda ash and CO2 (c2). In the EU permitted only for sturgeon caviar. Production patents describe fatty acids (antifoamants, flotation agents; c4) of unknown feedstock, quaternary ammonium compounds from fats, incl.

Basis of the ruling

Borax (sodium tetraborate) is a mineral salt from borate ores and natural brines, dissolved and recrystallised. Patents use fatty acids as antifoams and flotation agents in its recovery — the raw material is not disclosed, and animal fat is possible; to remove them, quaternary salts made from fats are added, including…

Names: Тетраборат натрия · Sodium tetraborate · رباعيّ بورات الصوديوم (البوراكس)

Also known as: Borax, E 285, E-285, Е285, INS 285, бура, натрий тетраборнокислый, натрия тетраборат, sodium borate, sodium biborate, sodium pyroborate, anhydrous tetraborate, disodium tetraborate, 硼砂, 四硼酸钠

Category: Preservatives

Regulatory source: EU 1333/2008

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