Halal Ingredient Scanner
Scan food ingredient lists to check for halal, haram, and doubtful ingredients. Paste any ingredient list and get instant analysis with halal alternatives.
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلُوا مِمَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا
"O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good."
— Surah Al-Baqarah (2:168)
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Understanding Halal Status
✓ Halal
Ingredients that are clearly permissible according to Islamic law. Includes most plant-based ingredients, dairy, eggs, and properly slaughtered meat.
✗ Haram
Prohibited ingredients including pork and its derivatives, alcohol, blood, and products from animals not slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines.
? Mushbooh (Doubtful)
Ingredients that could be halal or haram depending on their source. Examples include gelatin, glycerin, and enzymes. Contact the manufacturer to verify the source.
○ Unknown
Ingredients not in our database. These require manual verification. Look for halal certification or contact the manufacturer for more information.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
This tool provides general guidance based on common ingredient knowledge. It should not be considered a substitute for proper halal certification. Always check for official halal certification marks on products, contact manufacturers for doubtful ingredients, and consult with knowledgeable scholars when in doubt. The ruling "when in doubt, leave it out" is a safe approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is this ingredient scanner?
Our scanner provides general guidance based on a database of common ingredients. However, ingredient sources can vary between manufacturers, and some ingredients may be halal or haram depending on how they're produced. Always look for official halal certification on products for complete assurance.
What does "Mushbooh" mean?
Mushbooh (مشبوه) means "doubtful" or "suspicious" in Arabic. These are ingredients that could be halal or haram depending on their source. For example, gelatin could come from pork (haram), beef not slaughtered Islamically (haram), halal-slaughtered beef (halal), or fish (halal). When encountering mushbooh ingredients, it's best to verify with the manufacturer or choose products with clear halal certification.
Is gelatin always haram?
Not always. Gelatin is haram if it comes from pork or non-halal slaughtered animals. However, there are halal alternatives: fish gelatin, beef gelatin from halal-slaughtered cattle, and plant-based alternatives like agar-agar, pectin, and carrageenan. Many products now specify their gelatin source - look for "fish gelatin" or "halal gelatin" on labels.
Are "natural flavors" halal?
Natural flavors are considered mushbooh because they could be derived from various sources including plants, animals, or dairy. The term is vague and doesn't indicate the actual source. Some companies use animal-derived natural flavors. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer or choose products with halal certification.
What about vinegar and alcohol in food?
Vinegar is generally considered halal by most scholars because the fermentation process completely transforms the alcohol into acetic acid. However, alcohol used as an ingredient in its original form (like wine, rum, or brandy in cooking) is haram. Alcohol evaporation during cooking doesn't make it halal - the principle is in the initial addition of the intoxicant.
Common Ingredients to Watch
❌ Commonly Haram
- • Gelatin (usually pork-derived)
- • Lard / Shortening (if animal-based)
- • Carmine / E120 (insect-derived)
- • Animal Rennet
- • Pepsin
- • Alcohol / Ethanol
- • Wine / Rum / Beer
⚠️ Commonly Mushbooh
- • Mono & Diglycerides (E471)
- • Glycerin / Glycerol
- • Natural Flavors
- • Enzymes (unspecified source)
- • Whey (check rennet type)
- • L-Cysteine (E920/E921)
- • Vanilla Extract (may contain alcohol)
✓ Halal Alternatives
Instead of Gelatin:
Agar-agar, Pectin, Carrageenan, Fish gelatin, Halal beef gelatin
Instead of Animal Rennet:
Microbial rennet, Vegetable rennet, Plant coagulants
Instead of Lard:
Vegetable shortening, Butter, Coconut oil, Palm oil
Instead of Carmine (E120):
Beetroot extract, Paprika extract, Berry-based colors
🛒 Tips for Halal Shopping
- • Look for certification: Products with halal certification marks are verified by Islamic authorities.
- • Check the ingredient list: Even products that seem halal might contain hidden haram ingredients.
- • Contact manufacturers: When in doubt about mushbooh ingredients, reach out to the company.
- • "Suitable for vegetarians": This often (but not always) indicates no animal-derived ingredients.
- • Be aware of cross-contamination: Some products may be made in facilities that also process pork.
- • When in doubt, leave it out: The Prophet (PBUH) advised avoiding doubtful matters.