E620 — L-Glutamic Acid
Flavour enhancer - precursor to MSG, provides umami taste
Also known as: Glutamic Acid · L-Glutamic Acid
Verification required
Verify — Mushbooh
Source-dependent and requires verification. This additive may be derived from either halal (plant/synthetic) or haraam (animal) sources. Always check the product label or contact the manufacturer to verify the source.
Checking this in a shop right now?
Vegan / vegetarian label on pack → plant-based source → safe for this code
HFA / HMC / IFANCA / JAKIM logo → independently certified → safe
Neither? Follow the steps below.
School of Thought Breakdown
Hanafi
Verify source
Maliki
May permit
Shafi'i
Avoid if animal
Hanbali
Avoid if animal
Mushbooh - same concerns as E621 (MSG). Plant fermentation source is halal. Yeast grown on pork media is haraam. 'Suitable for vegetarians' or halal certification required.
What to do with this product
Follow these steps in order — most products resolve at step 1 or 2
Check for a "suitable for vegans" or "suitable for vegetarians" claim
If present, E620 comes from a plant-based source — safe for this code. Still check all other ingredients too.
Look for a halal certification logo on the pack
An HFA, HMC, IFANCA, JAKIM, or ESMA logo means the source has been independently audited. The E-code is confirmed halal in this product.
Neither? Here's what to do next:
Put it back and look for a certified alternative on the same shelf.
Check for products carrying an HFA, HMC, or IFANCA logo, or labelled "suitable for vegans". Either confirms a safe source.
Did you find a certified alternative?
Halal snacks — no MSG or nucleotide flavor enhancers:
Browse halal alternatives on AmazonAmazon Associate — we earn from qualifying purchases.
About E620
Miscellaneous - flavour enhancers. Suitable for vegetarian label on the package indicates the source of l-glutamic acid is from vegetable protein or it has to be under Halal or kosher certification. In USA/canada it is kosher certified and meet the Halal requirements. L-glutamic acid is also obtained from yeast and yeast can also grown on pork fat media then it is haram. It happened in indonesia few years back when monosodium glutamate is produced using pork fat media to grow yeast by ajinomonto indonesia. As it was reported on our website.
Verification Required
This additive's halal status depends on its source. Check the product label for a halal certification mark, or contact the manufacturer directly.
What is E620 made from?
- fermentation of plant sugars
- hydrolysis of vegetable protein
- yeast extract (may use pork media)
Foods that commonly contain E620
Food Category Guide
E620 is common in seasoning mixes — see the full halal guide →
Always check the ingredient label on the specific product - manufacturers may change formulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is E620 (L-Glutamic Acid) halal?
E620 (L-Glutamic Acid) is classified as Mushbooh (Questionable). Source-dependent and requires verification. This additive may be derived from either halal (plant/synthetic) or haraam (animal) sources. Always check the product label or contact the manufacturer to verify the source.
What is E620 used for?
E620 is used as a flavour enhancer - precursor to msg, provides umami taste in food products.
What foods contain E620?
E620 (L-Glutamic Acid) is commonly found in: flavored snacks, seasoning mixes, processed foods.
What is E620 made from?
E620 can be derived from the following sources: fermentation of plant sugars, hydrolysis of vegetable protein, yeast extract (may use pork media).
What are the other names for E620?
E620 may appear on food labels as: Glutamic Acid, L-Glutamic Acid.
flavor enhancers — 20 E-codes: 3 Halal, 0 Haraam, 17 Mushbooh
Related E-Codes in flavor enhancers
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This information is for educational purposes only. For religious rulings, consult a qualified Islamic scholar or halal certification authority. E-code classifications may vary by source, manufacturing process, and school of thought.