E304 Fatty acid esters of ascorbic acid — is it halal?

Ruling: Mashbuh (doubtful)

Description

A fat-soluble antioxidant: ascorbic acid esterified at its primary alcohol group with palmitic acid (E 304(i)) or stearic acid (E 304(ii)). No instrument read names the origin of the fatty acid. There are four routes: acid esterification in sulfuric acid, via palmitoyl chloride and thionyl chloride, via the ethyl ester of the fatty acid, and an enzymatic route on a lipase whose source is not disclosed.

Basis of the ruling

Ascorbyl palmitate and ascorbyl stearate are esters of ascorbic acid with palmitic or stearic acid. No standard names the origin of the fatty acid; the described sources include tallow and beef bone fat from animals not slaughtered according to the Sharia, and lard.

Names: Эфиры жирных кислот аскорбиновой · Fatty acid esters of ascorbic acid · إسترات الأحماض الدهنية لحمض الأسكوربيك (أسكوربيل بالميتات، أسكوربيل ستيارات)

Also known as: Ascorbyl palmitate, Ascorbyl stearate, аскорбилпальмитат, аскорбилстеарат, витамин C пальмитат, L-аскорбил-6-пальмитат, vitamin C palmitate, L-ascorbyl palmitate, 抗坏血酸棕榈酸酯, أسكوربيل بالميتات, E 304, E304(i), E304(ii), INS 304, L-ascorbyl stearate

Category: Antioxidants

Regulatory source: EU 1333/2008

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