Emulsifier, thickener or gelling agent
Is E426 (Soybean hemicellulose) halal?
Soybean hemicellulose is a water-soluble fibre extracted from soya hulls. The plant origin is not in doubt; a named certifier ruling on this specific code is.
Searchable identity only. EU specifications allow ethanol as a precipitant. That is not a class ruling, and it is not verified-halal.
What we know
Named sources are on this page. Classification: Insufficient evidence.
What we don’t know
See the sources for the limits of each position.
Why it matters
Not enough reliable source evidence to classify
What to verify
For E426 in this product: is the fat from plant oil, synthetic, or animal? If animal, which species and was it slaughtered as halal?
The detail
UK FSA lists E426 as authorised soybean hemicellulose. Codex and EU specs describe hot-water extraction from soybean fibre, with ethanol as the allowed organic precipitant. Sister seed gums on this site (guar E412, acacia E414, konjac E425) carry cited rulings; this code does not yet. Residual ethanol and any carrier fat are separate checks.
What the sources say
E426 Soybean hemicellulose
E426 is soya-fibre polysaccharide. Plant origin is not a substitute for a named certifier page on this code.
Where you will run into it
- Sauces
- Dairy drinks
- Noodles
- Food supplements
How to check it yourself
A vegan or recognised halal mark on the finished food settles more than the E-number. Ask whether ethanol remains, and whether any fat carrier was used.
Quick facts
| E-number | E426 |
|---|---|
| Name | Soybean hemicellulose |
| Also on labels as | E426, soya hemicellulose, soybean polysaccharide, soy fibre gum |
| Additive class | Emulsifier, thickener or gelling agent |
| Classification | Insufficient evidence |
| Source last accessed | 2026-09-16 |
Common questions
Is E426 (Soybean hemicellulose) halal?
Soybean hemicellulose is classified as Insufficient evidence. Searchable identity only. EU specifications allow ethanol as a precipitant. That is not a class ruling, and it is not verified-halal.
Is Soybean hemicellulose halal or haram?
On the evidence cited on this page, Soybean hemicellulose is insufficient evidence. Not enough reliable source evidence to classify Every position is attributed to a named certifier or scholarly body with a link, so you can verify it directly.
What else is Soybean hemicellulose called on ingredient labels?
It can appear as: E426, soya hemicellulose, soybean polysaccharide, soy fibre gum.
Where does this page's information come from?
Every position on this page is attributed to a named certifier or scholarly body with a direct link, listed under 'What the sources say'. Muttoo aggregates and cites; it does not issue rulings.
Related lookups
Record e426-soybean-hemicellulose · report an error