Does the word 'natural' on a product label mean it is Halal?

Not equivalent. The word 'natural' often misleads consumers into thinking a product is healthy or Halal, but this is not always the case. For example, a product made with natural flavoring may have ingredients from animals, fruits, vegetables, or even eggs or dairy. According to a Halal affairs coordinator, natural flavoring is a gray area and is not made in a lab, but actually has fewer safety measures than strictly produced artificial flavoring.

What should you do when a product is labeled 'natural flavoring' but is not Halal-certified?

It is recommended that consumers contact the company. One of the jobs of a Halal certification body is to trace the source of natural flavorings before a product becomes a qualified Halal product - a rigorous but possibly vague process: a processing company may have only a concept of what is used without detailed information, so one must trace back to the ingredient company and original source to obtain information; only then can it be determined whether the natural flavoring comes from a Halal source.

Is "Natural" Halal?

The word "natural" on a product label often misleads consumers into thinking the product is healthy, or Halal for Muslims, but this is not always the case.

The word 'natural' on a product label often misleads consumers into thinking the product is healthy, or Halal for Muslims, but this is not always the case.

For example, when a product is made with natural flavoring, the ingredients may come from animals, fruits, vegetables, or even eggs or dairy products.

Sami Absy, Omaha Halal affairs processing coordinator, said:

'This is a gray area. Our notion is that it is natural rather than made in a lab. In reality, natural is not the same as healthy. For natural flavorings, there are not that many safety measures;'

'On the other hand, artificial flavorings are something strictly produced in a lab, and they have more safety measures.'

Meanwhile, when a customer sees natural flavoring on the ingredient label but the product is not Halal-certified, Absy advises consumers to contact the company.

Part of Absy's job is to trace the source of natural flavorings before a product becomes a qualified Halal product.

'It is a rigorous process,' he said. 'It can be very vague. For example, a processing company may have a concept of what is used, but may not have detailed information. If they don't know, I go to the ingredient company to find the original source and get information from them. Only then can it be determined whether this natural flavoring comes from a Halal source.'

FAQ

Does the word 'natural' on a product label mean it is Halal?: Not equivalent. The word 'natural' often misleads consumers into thinking a product is healthy or Halal, but this is not always the case. For example, a product made with natural flavoring may have ingredients from animals, fruits, vegetables, or even eggs or dairy. According to a Halal affairs coordinator, natural flavoring is a gray area and is not made in a lab, but actually has fewer safety measures than strictly produced artificial flavoring.
What should you do when a product is labeled 'natural flavoring' but is not Halal-certified?: It is recommended that consumers contact the company. One of the jobs of a Halal certification body is to trace the source of natural flavorings before a product becomes a qualified Halal product - a rigorous but possibly vague process: a processing company may have only a concept of what is used without detailed information, so one must trace back to the ingredient company and original source to obtain information; only then can it be determined whether the natural flavoring comes from a Halal source.

FAQ

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