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E-number E401 · Emulsifiers & thickeners
Sodium alginate
Halal
- Typical source
- Brown seaweed
- Plain-language explanation
- E401, or sodium alginate, is a natural thickener and stabilizer commonly used in foods like ice cream and salad dressings. It is extracted from the cell walls of brown seaweed, making it a completely plant-based ingredient. Because it originates from seaweed and is produced without any animal or alcohol-based processing, it is universally considered halal by all major certification bodies, including JAKIM, MUI, MUIS, ESMA, and HFA. You can confidently consume products containing this ingredient without any halal concerns.