E-code guide
E494Sorbitan Monooleate
DoubtfulEmulsifier
E494

Sorbitan Monooleate

Emulsifier

SANHA, ANIC 2018, MUIS, and IFANCA all classify this as doubtful.
Based on 4 cited authorities. Confidence: medium.

What authorities say

4 authorities on record
4say Doubtful
Saying Doubtful4 of 4
2
ANIC 2018
Questionable. Halal only when the source is plant
3
MUIS
MUIS Food Additive Listing (2016): Prepared synthetically from sorbitol (E420) and oleic acid.
4
IFANCA
Listed among “questionable ingredients — investigate further” in IFANCA's Halal Shopper's Guide to Ingredients; the source may be animal or plant.

Why this verdict

E494 is sorbitan monooleate (Span 80), an emulsifier used in baked goods, confectionery, and infant formulas. SANHA classifies E494 as Mushbooh because the oleic acid source must be verified, and ANIC 2018 classifies the E471 to E495 range as Mushbooh, halal only when plant. MUIS marks E494 as syubhah, noting it is prepared synthetically from sorbitol (E420) and oleic acid. Because the source is not disclosed on the label, E494 is doubtful by default.

Common questions

Is E494 halal?

Sorbitan Monooleate (E494) is classified doubtful. SANHA, ANIC 2018, MUIS, and IFANCA classify it as doubtful.

Last reviewed by the HalalHQ research team in June 2026.