Halal and Non-Halal Ingredients

It should be noted that products imported from Muslim countries are not necessarily guaranteed to be Halal. Some food raw materials are imported into Muslim countries from non-Muslim countries; the list of raw materials should be properly checked and a Halal certificate requested.

List of Halal ingredients (partial):

The following ingredients can only be ensured to be Halal when produced under the supervision of a reliable Halal certification body. Ingredients not certified by a Halal certification body cannot be guaranteed to be Halal.

Antioxidants: compounds used to protect certain food components from being destroyed or lost through oxidation. Antioxidants also help neutralize free radicals in the body.

Ascorbic acid: vitamin C.

Benzoic acid: benzoic acid and sodium benzoate are used for food preservation.

Biotin: one of the B-complex vitamins.

BHA: an antioxidant and preservative.

Citric acid: derived from plants, usually of the citrus family (such as oranges, limes, lemons, etc.).

Cobalamin: synthetic vitamin B12.

Dextrin: an emulsifier, sizing agent and thickener.

Fiber: derived from plants. Provides roughage.

Fructose: fruit sugar.

Gliadin: a protein in wheat and rye.

Hydrogenated oil: vegetable oil hydrogenated into a solid at room temperature.

Iodine: a nutritional mineral for the thyroid.

Lecithin: a fat emulsifier. In the United States, the sources are mainly soybeans and egg yolk.

Lipids: essential fatty acids found in fish, plants and animals. If the source is animal, it is questionable.

Malt: a fermented grain.

Molasses: the syrupy liquid obtained when refining sugar.

MSG: a seasoning. Gives food a meaty flavor.

Niacin: one of the B-complex vitamins.

Pectin: a gelatinous substance extracted from fruit.

Propionic acid: a preservative.

Riboflavin: one of the B-complex vitamins. Usually synthetic in source.

Sweeteners: substances with a sweet taste.

Thiamine: one of the B-complex vitamins.

Vanillin: a flavoring, extracted from vanilla.

Vitamin A: if the source is plant-based or synthetic, then it is Halal.

Vitamin C: naturally derived from plants (such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, etc.).

Vitamin D: natural sources are yeast and fish-liver oil. It is also synthetic.

Vitamin E: a rich source of vitamin E is vegetable oil. When the source is synthetic, it is Halal. If the source is animal, it is questionable.

Water: a solvent, the most important nutrient for human survival.

Food yeast: a microorganism, single-celled, a fungus used in fermentation processes and bread baking.

List of non-Halal products (partial):

Forbidden to eat are: the meat of animals that died of disease or natural causes; blood; the flesh of swine; the meat of strangled animals; the meat of animals killed by a violent blow; the meat of animals killed by a violent fall; or the meat of animals gored to death; the meat of animals (partly) devoured by a wild beast, unless it can be slaughtered with the proper ritual; the meat of animals sacrificed on stones (altars).

According to Halal regulations, non-Halal substances fall into three major categories: dead meat, blood and pork. According to scholars' interpretation and rulings, a product is considered non-Halal (forbidden) to consume or use if it contains, is derived from, or has been in contact with any of the following sources:

Pork and pork products, as well as porcine ingredients and by-products.

Dead animals, such as those that died of suffocation; a blow to the head (clubbing); a fall from a height; natural causes (carrion); or were gored or killed by another animal.

Animals sacrificed in any name other than that of the Creator.

Animals or meat won in a wager or gambling.

Game unlawfully hunted during the pilgrimage (Hajj).

Animals not properly slaughtered according to the Halal ritual.

Carnivorous and omnivorous animals with canine teeth or claws, such as dogs; cats; lions; tigers; wolves; monkeys, etc.; and birds of prey, such as eagles; hawks; owls; bats, etc.

Animals that feed on filth (Al-Jallalah), such as vultures; rats, etc., or that feed on animal feed made from other dead animals.

Species forbidden to be killed, such as bees; endangered species, etc.

Poisonous and venomous animal species, such as venomous snakes, scorpions, spiders, and poisonous and toxic plants.

Animals considered filthy and likely to carry disease, such as cockroaches, centipedes, donkeys, rats, etc.

The milk of forbidden animals and the eggs of forbidden birds.

Food additives extracted from forbidden sources or processed with forbidden agents.

Meat or any body part cut from a living animal.

Any part of the human body.

Blood and blood elements, except medicines.

Alcoholic beverages (Khamr), including other intoxicants and harmful products, drugs and intoxicants, whether natural or synthetic, such as opium, cannabis, cocaine, other hallucinogens, known carcinogens, etc.

Examples of common non-Halal materials:

Animal meat/fat/bones: if the raw materials/auxiliary materials/processing aids contain animal-derived ingredients, those animal-derived ingredients must be from animals slaughtered according to the Halal ritual, and they must be accompanied by a Halal certificate issued by a qualified Halal certification body.

Animal by-products such as: skin, hair, bristles, collagen, gelatin, fatty acids, amino acids, hormones, enzymes, blood and its derivatives and growth media, placenta, milk and its derivatives, taurine, glycerin/glycerol, some animal-derived vitamins (i.e., A, B6, D, E); bone-derived activated carbon - these animal-derived ingredients must be from animals slaughtered according to the Halal ritual and must be accompanied by a Halal certificate issued by a qualified Halal certification body.

Plant by-products: most are Halal, unless processed with additives or non-Halal processing aids. For example: wheat flour may be fortified with vitamins, including B1, B2 and folic acid; oleoresins (chili, spices) may have animal-derived emulsifiers such as polysorbates added during processing; soy lecithin can be produced with phospholipase; hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) can be produced with animal-derived enzymes. Therefore these plant by-products must be certified by a reliable Halal certification body.