Is Agar / Agar-Agar (E406) Halal?

Agar is a gelling agent extracted from red seaweed with hot water. It is plant-based, involves no animal material, and MUIS lists it as halal. It is the traditional vegetarian substitute for gelatine in jellies and desserts.

Agar is a gelling polysaccharide extracted from red seaweeds such as Gelidium and Gracilaria species. It forms strong, heat-stable gels and is used as a vegetarian alternative to gelatin.

• jellies
• Asian desserts
• vegetarian aspics
• dairy alternatives
• microbiology media

• E406 on its own is not a reason to avoid a product.
• The finished product still needs its other ingredients checked — look for a halal certification logo (MUIS, JAKIM, MUI, HMC or similar) when in doubt.
• Halal status here follows the MUIS food additive listing; rulings can differ between certification bodies.

carrageenan (E407), alginic acid (E400), pectin (E440a)

E406 (Agar/Agar-Agar/Japanese Isinglass) is halal for Muslims according to the MUIS food additive listing. Agar is a gelling polysaccharide extracted from red seaweeds such as Gelidium and Gracilaria species.

Agar is a gelling polysaccharide extracted from red seaweeds such as Gelidium and Gracilaria species. It forms strong, heat-stable gels and is used as a vegetarian alternative to gelatin.

E406 is commonly found in jellies, Asian desserts, vegetarian aspics, dairy alternatives, and microbiology media.