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Typical source

Vitamin C + palmitic acid (plant or animal)

Plain-language explanation

E304, or ascorbyl palmitate, is a fat-soluble form of vitamin C made by combining ascorbic acid (vitamin C) with palmitic acid, a fatty acid derived from either vegetable or animal fat. Its halal status depends on the source of the palmitic acid; if it comes from vegetable fat, it is considered halal, but if it comes from animal fat, the animal must be slaughtered according to Islamic law. Major halal certification bodies like JAKIM, MUI, and MUIS generally accept it as halal only if the source is verified as halal, often requiring documentation from the manufacturer.