What it is and where it comes from
E493 joins sorbitol, a sugar alcohol made from plants, with lauric acid. Lauric acid is mainly found in coconut and palm kernel oil, so E493 is usually plant based. Animal fats contain little of it, but a mixed source cannot be ruled out from the label.
Where you find it
Cakes, icing, whipped toppings and some sweets. It is rare in food.
What to look for on the label
Look for a halal logo, a vegan label, or a note such as "of vegetable origin" next to the E-number. If the label says nothing, ask the maker: many companies answer by email within days.
This is a guide, not a fatwa. Recipes change, so check the label, look for halal certification, and ask your local imam where scholars differ.