Is lysozyme (E1105) halal?
E1105 is halal. Lysozyme is an enzyme extracted from hen egg white, and eggs from permitted birds are halal. It is used as a preservative, most often in cheese — where the rennet remains a separate question.
Also known as / other names
lysozymeegg white lysozymeE 1105muramidase
What E1105 (lysozyme) actually is
Lysozyme is a naturally occurring enzyme that breaks down bacterial cell walls. It is present in egg white, tears and saliva, and commercially it is extracted from hen eggs.
In cheesemaking it prevents late blowing, a defect caused by clostridia bacteria that ruins hard cheese. It is also used in some wines to control fermentation.
Why the enzyme is fine but the product may not be
The lysozyme itself raises no issue — egg white from a permitted bird is halal, and there is no alternative animal source in commercial use.
But it is worth knowing where you will meet it. E1105 appears almost exclusively in hard cheese, and hard cheese is exactly the category where the rennet question is most live. Clearing E1105 does not clear the cheese.
It is also a declared allergen because of the egg origin, so unlike most of the additives in this library, its source is actually stated on the pack.
How to check it yourself
- No check needed for the enzyme itself — the egg source is required to be declared as an allergen.
- If E1105 appears on a cheese, check the rennet separately. That is the harder question on the same label.
- Vegan products will not contain it, since it is egg-derived.
Where you'll run into it
Hard and semi-hard cheese, some wines as a fermentation control, some pharmaceutical preparations.
Common questions
Is lysozyme from eggs?
Yes, hen egg white. That is the only commercial source for food use, and it must be declared as an allergen.
Does E1105 make a cheese halal?
No — it just means one ingredient is clear. The rennet used to set the cheese is a separate and usually more consequential question.
Is lysozyme vegetarian?
Yes, since eggs are vegetarian. It is not vegan.
Sources
- EU register of authorised food additives — E1105 identity and permitted uses
- IFANCA — halal certification body — enzyme sourcing guidance
Best-effort guidance compiled from sourced references — not a religious ruling and not a certification. Schools of thought differ, and manufacturers change formulations without notice. Please verify with the producer or your local authority when it matters. How we decide a verdict.