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Plain-language explanation

E503, or ammonium carbonates, are chemical compounds used as a leavening agent in baked goods like cookies and crackers to help them rise. They are typically produced synthetically from carbon dioxide and ammonia, which are not derived from animal sources, making them generally considered halal. Major halal certification bodies like JAKIM, MUI, and MUIS classify E503 as halal because its production process does not involve any haram (forbidden) ingredients. However, if ammonia were ever sourced from an animal byproduct, the status could change, but this is extremely rare in commercial food production.