A Guide to Halal Food Selection

by HALAL FOUNDATION
(Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America. P.O. Box 425, Bedford Park, IL 60499)
http://www.uh.edu/campus/msa/articles/halal.html

Disclaimer: This list was prepared by the organization mentioned above. The MSA is not able nor qualified to make any fatawas on Halal or Haram. Any questions should be addressed to the Halal Foundation or some other qualified individual(s).

"Oh people! Eat of what is on earth, lawful and good" (Quran)

Instructions: For a product to be Halal(lawful) for Muslim consumption all its ingredients should be Halal. Follow the following list:

Read the ingredients on label carefully. Ingredients are listed according to the amounts present.

Identify the Halal/Haram/Mushbooh status of each ingredient using this guide. If all ingredients of a product are Halal, the product is fit for Muslim consumption. If any of the ingredient is Haram, the product should not be consumed. If any ingredient falls under Mushbooh category avoid this product, as the Prophet has advised us to avoid doubtful matters. This ingredient could come from a Haram source. To find out the status of this ingredient you should write or call the manufacturer of the product

Glossary:

Halal: Halal is a Quranic term which means allowed or lawful. Halal foods and drinks are permitted for consumption by Allah-the Supreme Law Giver. Eating Halal is obligatory on every Muslim.

Haram: Haram is a Quranic term which means prohibited or unlawful. Haram foods and drinks are absolutely prohibited by Allah. Eating Haram is forbidden for every Muslim.

Mushbooh: Mushbooh is an Arabic term which means suspected. If one does not know the Halal or Harm status of a particular food or drink, such a food or drink is doubtful. A practicing Muslims prevents himself from consuming doubtful things.

Prophet(s) Muhammad is reported to have said:

"Halal is clear and Haram is clear; in between these two are certain things that are suspected. Many people may not know whether those items are Halal or Haram. Whosoever leaves them, he is innocent towards his religion and his conscience. He is, therefore, safe. Anyone who gets involved in any of these suspected items, he may fall into the unlawful and the prohibited. This case is similar to the one who wished to raise his animals too close to a restricted area, so that the animals may step into that area. Indeed for every landlord there is a restricted area. Indeed the restriction of Allah are the Haram." (Sahih Bukhari & Sahih Muslim)

Halal Ingredients:
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Acetic Acid
Ammonium Sulfate
Ammonium Chloride
Ascorbic Acid
Aspartame

Benzoate/Benzoic Acid
BHA
BHT

Calcium Carbonate
Calcium Sulfate
Carrageenan
Citric Acid
Cocoa Butter
Corn Meal / Corn Starch
Corn Syrup

Dextrin / Dextrose
Dicalcium Phosphate
Diglyceride (plant)

EDTA
Ergocalciferol
Ergosterol

Ferrous Sulfate
Fructose
Fungal Protease Enzyme

Glucose
Gum Acacia

Hydrogenated Oil
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein

Leavenings
Lecithin (commercial)

Malt
Malto Dextrin
Molases
Monocalcium Phosphate
Mono Saccharides
MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)

Nitrates / Nitrites
Nonfat Dry Milk

Oxalic Acid

PABA

Vegetable Oil

Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Pectic Materials
Pectin
Phosphoric Acid
Potassium Benzoate
Potassium Bromate
Potassium Citrate
Propionate
Propionic Acid

Saccharine
Salt
Soy Protein
Soybean Oil
Sucrose

Tapioca
Tricalcium Phosphate

Vinegar

Yeast


Haram Ingredients:
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Animal Fat
Animal Shortening
Alcohol

Bacon (Pork)

Collagen (Pork)

Gelatin / Kosher Gelatin

Lard

Pork


Mushbooh Ingredients:
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Cholesterol

Diglyceride

Enzyme
Ethoxylated Mono-/Di Glyceride

Fatty Acid

Glyceride
Glycerol / Glycerin
Glycerol Stearate
Glycogen Hormones

Hydrolyzed Animal Protein

Monoglycerides

Pepsin

Phospholipid

Renin / Rennet

Shortening

Whey