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Typical source

Stearic acid (plant or animal)

Plain-language explanation

Stearyl tartrate is a food additive made from stearic acid and tartaric acid, used as an emulsifier to keep ingredients mixed together. Its halal status depends on the source of the stearic acid, which can come from either animal fat or vegetable oil. If the stearic acid is from a plant source, it is considered halal by major certification bodies, but if it is from an animal source, the animal must be slaughtered according to Islamic law for it to be halal.