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E-number E172 · Colors
Iron oxides
Halal
- Typical source
- Mineral
- Plain-language explanation
- E172, or iron oxides, are inorganic compounds used as food coloring to give products a red, yellow, or black shade. They are derived from mineral sources, specifically iron, and are not of animal origin. Because they are synthetically produced from non-animal minerals, iron oxides are universally considered halal by all major certification bodies, including JAKIM, MUI, MUIS, ESMA, and HFA.