Is E466 (Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose / CMC) Halal?

Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is made by treating plant cellulose with chloroacetic acid. It is plant-based and MUIS lists it as halal. It thickens ice cream, sauces and gluten-free bakery products.

Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is a semi-synthetic polymer prepared by chemical modification of plant cellulose. It is one of the most widely used food thickeners and stabilisers, with applications across nearly every food category.

• ice cream
• salad dressings
• low-fat yogurts
• gluten-free baked goods
• soft drinks
• diet products

• E466 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.

xanthan gum (E415), methylcellulose (E461), guar gum (E412)

E466 (Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose/CMC) is halal for Muslims according to the MUIS food additive listing. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is a semi-synthetic polymer prepared by chemical modification of plant cellulose.

Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is a semi-synthetic polymer prepared by chemical modification of plant cellulose. It is one of the most widely used food thickeners and stabilisers, with applications across nearly every food category.

E466 is commonly found in ice cream, salad dressings, low-fat yogurts, gluten-free baked goods, soft drinks, and diet products.