Local products with 'E' code halal for Muslims - Jakim

Jakim director-general Datuk Othman Mustapha said food products with the E code or number on the labels were not necessarily processed through haram or prohibited sources.

"However, consumers should be cautious if the product has an E code but is not processed locally and does not have the Malaysian halal certification," he said in a statement, here, today.

He said the E code referred to additives and commonly used by European Union countries, Australia, New Zealand, northern America particularly Canada, and Israel.

"The numbering scheme is based on the International Numbering System set by the Codex Alimentarius Committee.

"It is a collection of various standards, codes of practice, recognised international guidelines related to food, food processing and food safety aimed at safeguarding public health and to ensure compliance with the ethical trading code of conduct," he said.

Additives are labelled as follows:

E100 - E199 - colour E200 - E299 - preservatives E300 - E399 - oxidants, phosphates, anti-oxidants and acid inhibitors E400 - E499 - thickeners, moisturisers, stabilisers and emulsifiers E500 - E599 - salt, acidity regulators and anti-caking agents E600 - E699 - flavour enhancers E900 - E999 - sweeteners and glazing agents E1000- E1999 - additional chemicals

"Not all additives with the E serial number to make food products are from non-halal sources. The sources of the additives could be plants, synthetic, microbes, natural, chemicals and animals," said Othman.

However, he said, E471, a mono and diglyceride emulsifier, had been the most queried additive.

"It is synthetic fat derived from glycerol and natural fatty acids found in plants such as oil palm or animal fat.

"It is generally a compound of various edible substances similar to natural fat," he said.

Othman urged food industry players to clearly define the additives in their products so as to leave no room for doubts among Muslim consumers as to the food's status.