Loading…
Loading…
Editorial note: Market figures cited in this article are estimates based on publicly available industry reports and may vary by source. HalalExpo.com aims to present the most current data available but readers should verify figures for business decisions. Sources include the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report, DinarStandard, and national halal authority publications.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG / E621) is generally considered halal. It is produced by bacterial fermentation of plant-based substrates such as sugarcane molasses, tapioca starch, or sugar beet — all halal raw materials. The primary concern is the fermentation medium and any downstream processing aids. When manufactured without porcine-derived culture media and with no alcohol added as a solvent, MSG is halal. Products certified by JAKIM, MUI, or IFANCA confirm this standard has been met.
Monosodium glutamate is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, a naturally occurring amino acid found in tomatoes, parmesan cheese, soy sauce, and many fermented foods. As a food additive (E621), it is used as a flavour enhancer — it amplifies savoury, umami taste without significantly adding its own distinct flavour.
MSG is used extensively in:
It is one of the most widely consumed food additives globally, particularly in East and Southeast Asia, where per-capita consumption is highest.
Commercial MSG has been produced almost exclusively by bacterial fermentation since the 1960s. The process works as follows:
There is no animal-derived ingredient in the standard industrial process. The critical question for halal purposes is whether the fermentation medium includes any porcine-derived nutrient supplements (such as porcine peptones used in some laboratory-scale fermentations) and whether any processing aids involve alcohol.
In large-scale industrial production by the major manufacturers (Ajinomoto, Vedan, Fufeng Group, Meihua Holdings), the fermentation media are plant-based. Porcine peptones are a laboratory-scale practice that does not apply to food-grade MSG production at scale.
Three concerns are raised by halal scholars and consumers:
Theoretically, if porcine-derived peptones or growth factors were used in the bacterial culture medium, this could render the MSG haram or at minimum mashbooh (doubtful). In practice, industrial MSG producers use plant-based substrates and do not use porcine-derived culture supplements. JAKIM-certified MSG suppliers are required to submit full process documentation confirming this.
Some purification processes in the food industry use ethanol as a solvent. If alcohol is used in MSG purification and residues remain in the final product, this is a concern for some scholars. Major halal-certifying bodies require confirmation that alcohol is not used in the process, or that any traces have been completely removed.
Early methods of producing MSG (pre-1960s) involved hydrolysis of wheat gluten or other proteins. Some consumers confuse the modern fermentation process with the older hydrolysis method. The historical hydrolysis method was not a halal concern either, but the modern fermentation method is even further removed from any animal-derived input.
JAKIM certifies MSG products from multiple manufacturers, including Ajinomoto Malaysia (which operates a dedicated halal-certified plant). The JAKIM standard requires full process documentation, including confirmation of the fermentation substrate origin and the absence of porcine-derived materials. JAKIM-certified MSG is permitted in all certified halal food products manufactured in Malaysia.
Indonesia's halal authority has certified MSG from multiple domestic and international producers. Given Indonesia's mandatory halal certification law, MSG used in certified halal products must itself be certified. Indonesian manufacturers of MSG (several of which are among the world's largest) hold MUI or BPJPH certification for their plant-based fermentation processes.
IFANCA has stated that MSG produced by fermentation from plant-based substrates is halal. They note that consumers should look for halal-certified brands when possible, but that standard industrial MSG from reputable manufacturers does not contain haram ingredients.
MUIS certifies MSG-containing products and has approved MSG from plant-based fermentation sources. Their position aligns with the consensus: fermentation-derived MSG from plant substrates is halal.
In 2000–2001, a widely reported controversy in Indonesia alleged that Ajinomoto's MSG used porcine-derived bactosoyton (a peptone used in laboratory culture media) in its fermentation process. This led to a temporary recall and significant public concern. Ajinomoto subsequently confirmed that the bactosoyton was used only as a catalyst in preparing the bacterial starter culture, not in the main fermentation process, and that no porcine material remained in the final product.
Following a review, MUI issued a halal certificate for Ajinomoto MSG, and the product was re-approved for sale in Indonesia. This episode is important because it illustrates the transparency that major manufacturers now maintain regarding their processes — and it demonstrates that halal certification bodies do conduct meaningful audits of MSG production.
MSG (E621) is generally halal when produced by the standard industrial fermentation process from plant-based substrates. The scholarly consensus among JAKIM, MUI, IFANCA, and MUIS supports this position. The appropriate precaution is to:
No. MSG produced by standard industrial fermentation from plant-based substrates is halal according to the major halal certification bodies including JAKIM, MUI, and IFANCA. It is not haram.
Standard industrial MSG does not contain pork or any porcine-derived ingredient. The Ajinomoto controversy (2000–2001) was resolved with confirmation that no porcine material remained in the final product. Halal-certified MSG has undergone independent audit confirming this.
Yes. E621 is the European Union food additive code for monosodium glutamate. The terms are interchangeable. You may also see it listed as "MSG," "monosodium L-glutamate," or "sodium glutamate."
The mainstream scholarly position is that industrially produced MSG is halal. However, purchasing halal-certified products remains the safest approach, as it provides audit-backed confirmation of the production process.
Chemically identical. Glutamic acid occurs naturally in tomatoes, soy sauce, parmesan, mushrooms, and many fermented foods. The body cannot distinguish between naturally occurring and added glutamate.
For a full reference on halal and haram food additives by E-number, see our Halal Certification for Food Ingredients & Additives guide. To find MSG-free or halal-certified suppliers, browse the HalalExpo Business Directory.
Certification & Standards
Conventional gelatin is one of the most widely used ingredients in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics — and one of the most problematic for Muslim consumers. This guide covers every major halal gelatin alternative: what it is, where it comes from, and how manufacturers are putting it to work.
Certification & Standards
Glycerin (glycerol / E422) appears in thousands of everyday products — from cakes and toothpaste to cough syrup and skincare. Its halal status depends entirely on whether it comes from animal fat, vegetable oil, or synthetic production. This comprehensive guide explains the sources, the Islamic ruling, how to read labels, and which certifications to trust.
Certification & Standards
March 16, 2026 · 8 min
March 20, 2026 · 10 min
Whey is a by-product of cheese-making found in thousands of everyday products — from protein powders and baby formula to baked goods and chocolate. Whether whey is halal depends on the enzymes used during cheese production, particularly the source of rennet. This guide explains what Muslim consumers need to know.