How to Use Voice Search to Check E-Codes

Typing E-codes while holding a product in one hand is awkward. Voice search solves that - say the code out loud and get the result without putting anything down.

This guide shows you exactly how to use it, how to phrase your searches for best results, and what to do when the microphone mishears you.

How voice search works

Voice search uses your browser’s built-in speech recognition - the same technology behind voice assistants. It listens for E-code numbers and names, then searches the database automatically.

No audio is sent to any server. Recognition happens entirely on your device.

Step by step

Step 1: Go to the E-codes database

Open E-Codes Search from the homepage or the navigation menu.

Step 2: Find the microphone button

The microphone icon sits inside the search bar. On mobile it’s on the right side; on desktop it appears when you focus the search field.

Step 3: Tap the microphone and speak

Tap the microphone icon. You’ll see a prompt indicating it’s listening. Speak clearly at a normal conversational pace - you don’t need to raise your voice or speak slowly.

Step 4: Review and tap your result

The search field fills with what you said, and matching results appear immediately. Tap any result to see the full details: halal status, what it’s used for, where it comes from, and any madhab-specific notes.

How to say E-codes

The clearest way to say an E-code is to pronounce the letter and number separately:

Code	Say it as
E100	”E one hundred”
E471	”E four seven one”
E322	”E three two two”
E1422	”E fourteen twenty-two”

Both formats usually work - “E four hundred and seventy-one” is recognized just as well as “E four seven one”. Use whichever feels natural.

Searching by name instead of number

You can also say the ingredient name:

“Curcumin” → finds E100
“Gelatin” → finds E441
“Mono and diglycerides” → finds E471
“Ascorbic acid” → finds E300

This is useful when the label uses ingredient names rather than E-numbers - both refer to the same substance.

Searching for multiple codes at once

You can say several codes in one breath. Speak them as a natural list:

“E471, E322, E120”

The search will process each code and show results for all of them. This is the fastest way to check a whole ingredient list when you can spot the E-codes yourself.

There’s no limit on how many you can say in one voice session - but pausing between codes gives the recognition engine a cleaner signal.

Tips for accuracy

Quiet environments work best

Background noise - music, other shoppers, a running trolley - can interfere with recognition. If you’re in a noisy aisle, step to a quieter spot or switch to manual typing.

Hold the phone near your mouth

You don’t need to shout, but the microphone should be within 20–30 cm (8–12 inches) of your mouth. Holding the phone face-up on a flat surface while speaking also works well.

Speak the number digits clearly

“E four seven one” is less likely to be misheard than “E four-seventy-one”. When in doubt, say each digit individually.

Correct a misrecognition by typing

If the microphone hears the wrong code, the search field is editable. Tap it, correct the code, and the results update instantly. You don’t need to use voice for every search.

Troubleshooting

The microphone button doesn’t appear

Voice search requires browser permission. If you’ve previously denied microphone access:

Chrome/Android: tap the lock icon in the address bar → Microphone → Allow
Safari/iOS: Settings → Safari → Microphone → Allow
Firefox: click the permission icon in the address bar and reset microphone permissions

Reload the page after granting permission.

My browser doesn’t support voice search

Voice search uses the Web Speech API, which is built into Chrome, Edge, and Safari. Firefox has limited support.

If your browser doesn’t support it, the microphone button won’t appear. Use manual typing instead - the search is just as fast once you’ve typed the code.

It heard the right number but showed no results

The code may not be in the database, or it may be formatted differently. Try:

Searching without the “E” prefix (just the number)
Searching by ingredient name instead
Checking if the code uses a letter suffix (e.g. E160a, E160b)

The E-codes database covers 370+ codes. If a code genuinely isn’t there, it’s likely a very niche additive - check the manufacturer’s website for source information.

When to use voice vs typing vs scanning

Situation	Best method
You can read the E-codes off the label	Voice or typing
Long ingredient list, lots of E-codes	Scan the label
Noisy environment	Manual typing
Hands full, label in one hand	Voice search
Already know the code number	Either - both are fast

For a deeper comparison, see: Manual vs Voice Search: The Fastest Way to Check E-Codes.

What to do with the result

Each E-code result shows:

Halal status - Halal, Mushbooh, or Haraam
What it is - the common name and its function in food
Source - plant, animal, synthetic, or mixed
Madhab notes - where different schools of thought differ

If a code comes back as Mushbooh, that doesn’t automatically mean avoid it. Read the source details - the concern is usually about origin, not the substance itself. See: How to interpret Halal, Mushbooh, and Haraam status.

The best way to get a feel for it is to try it on something real. Scan a label now - or head to the E-codes database and try voice search yourself.