Is Ammonium Bicarbonate (E503) Halal?

MUIS lists E503 (Ammonium Bicarbonate / Ammonium Hydrogen Carbonate) as halal. It is manufactured synthetically from non-animal raw materials. The status applies to the additive itself; the finished product still needs its other ingredients checked.

Ammonium bicarbonate (hartshorn) is a leavening agent that decomposes completely into ammonia, water and carbon dioxide on heating, leaving no residue. It is preferred in flat baked goods like crackers and cookies.

• traditional crackers
• cookies
• biscotti
• Northern European Christmas baking

• E503 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.

sodium bicarbonate (E500), potassium carbonate (E501), baking powder

E503 (Ammonium Bicarbonate/Ammonium Hydrogen Carbonate) is halal for Muslims according to the MUIS food additive listing. Ammonium bicarbonate (hartshorn) is a leavening agent that decomposes completely into ammonia, water and carbon dioxide on heating, leaving no residue.

Ammonium bicarbonate (hartshorn) is a leavening agent that decomposes completely into ammonia, water and carbon dioxide on heating, leaving no residue. It is preferred in flat baked goods like crackers and cookies.

E503 is commonly found in traditional crackers, cookies, biscotti, and Northern European Christmas baking.