E433 Polysorbate 80 — is it halal?

Ruling: Mashbuh (doubtful)

Description

A non-ionic emulsifier and stabiliser. Sorbitol is dehydrated to sorbitan, esterified with commercial oleic acid and condensed with about 20 moles of ethylene oxide. The origin of the oleic acid is left unspecified by the EU specification, by JECFA, by 21 CFR and by the Chinese standards alike; both routes are documented — from bovine tallow and from vegetable oils; Food-Info does not rule out pig fat either (c14).

Basis of the ruling

Polysorbate 80 is an emulsifier: sorbitol is dehydrated to sorbitan, combined with oleic acid and then with ethylene oxide. No standard names the origin of the oleic acid; both routes are documented — from vegetable oils and from beef fat of an animal not slaughtered according to the Shariah — and pig fat is not ruled…

Names: Полисорбат 80 · Polysorbate 80 · بوليسوربات 80

Also known as: Tween 80, Твин-80, полиоксиэтилен(20)сорбитан моноолеат, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate, INS 433, 聚氧乙烯(20)山梨醇酐单油酸酯, 吐温80, بولي أوكسي إيثيلين (20) سوربيتان أحادي الأوليات, E 433, полисорбат-80, твин 80, полиоксиэтиленсорбитан моноолеат, Polysorbate-80, PS 80, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate

Category: Emulsifiers

Regulatory source: EU 1333/2008

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