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What calories are, how to estimate them, why portion size matters, and how to use calorie information practically without obsessing over numbers.

A clear explanation of the three main macronutrients, what each one does, how many calories each contains and how to think about them practically.

Understanding serving sizes, percent daily values, ingredient lists and what the numbers on a food label actually mean for your diet.

What halal means, which foods are permitted and forbidden, how halal certification works, and what to look for on packaging.

A reference guide to common E-codes and their halal status — Halal, Haram or Mushbooh — with explanations of why some are doubtful.

E471 (mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids) is one of the most debated food additives. Why it is classed as doubtful, where it hides and how to check labels.

E120 is a red dye made from cochineal insects. See what scholars say, where it hides in foods, and plant-based red alternatives.

Gelatine is mostly pork-derived. Learn about sources, rulings, and halal alternatives like agar and pectin.

E422 can come from plants, animal fat or petrochemicals. Learn how the source decides the ruling and how to check labels.

The E472 emulsifier family, including DATEM (E472e) found in bread, explained.

Is E322 lecithin halal? It is usually made from soy or sunflower, but can come from egg yolk or other sources. Learn what to check and why we class it as doubtful.

Is E270 lactic acid halal and vegan? It is usually made by fermenting plant sugars, not from milk. Learn how it is made, where it is used and what to check.

Is E631 disodium inosinate halal? It can be made by fermentation or extracted from meat or fish. Learn why it is doubtful, where it is used and how to check.

Is E627 disodium guanylate halal? It is made by fermentation, but labels do not state the source. Learn where it is used and why we class it as doubtful.

Is E635 halal? It is a mixture of E627 and E631. Learn why we class it as doubtful, where it is used and how to check instant noodles and snacks.

Is E920 L-cysteine halal? It is commonly made from feathers or hair, or by fermentation. Learn what scholars say, why they differ and how to check bread and baked goods.

Is shellac E904 halal? It is a resin secreted by the lac insect. Read what a Hanafi fatwa says, why a food guide marked it as under investigation, and how to decide.

Is E542 halal? Edible bone phosphate is made from animal bone, and the animal and its slaughter are not stated. Learn the sources, the madhab difference and how to…

Is E481 halal? Sodium stearoyl lactylate is made from stearic acid, which can be plant or animal. Learn why it is doubtful, if it contains milk and how to check.

Is E491 halal? Sorbitan monostearate is made from sorbitan and stearic acid, which can be plant or animal. Learn why it is doubtful and how to check.

Is E473 halal? Sucrose esters are made from sugar and fatty acids, which can be plant or animal. Learn why E473 is doubtful, where it is used and how to check.

Is E570 halal? Stearic acid occurs in animal and vegetable fats and labels do not say which. Learn the sources, uses in sweets and what to check.

Is E1105 lysozyme halal and vegan? It is an enzyme found in egg white and used in some cheeses. Learn the source, allergen warning and what to check.

Is gelatin halal? Most gelatin is pork or non-halal beef. Learn which products contain it, when fish or certified beef gelatin is acceptable, and the halal alternatives.

Is whey halal? Whey is a cheese by-product, so the rennet matters. Learn what scholars say, which whey protein is safest and how to check supplements.

Is rennet halal? Microbial and plant rennet are permitted; animal rennet depends on slaughter, and scholars differ. Learn how to choose halal cheese.

Is vanilla extract halal? Pure extract contains about 35% ethyl alcohol. Learn what Hanafi and Shafi'i answers say, and which vanilla products are alcohol-free.

Is natural flavour halal? Labels do not say what a flavour is made from or whether it uses an alcohol carrier. Learn what Hanafi and Shafi'i answers say.

Is collagen halal? It depends on the animal source and slaughter. Learn how to choose halal bovine or marine collagen and what Darul Iftaa Birmingham says.

Is pepsin halal? Commercial pepsin is mostly from pig stomachs. Learn what the sources say about animal and microbial enzymes and how to check cheese and supplements.

Is glycerin halal? Vegetable and synthetic glycerin are halal; animal-derived glycerin depends on the animal. Learn about food, cosmetics and medicine.

Is shellac halal? A Hanafi answer says foods containing shellac are halal; a food guide marked it as under investigation. Practical tips for sweets, fruit and tablets.

Use our free ingredient checker to screen any ingredient against Halal, Vegan, Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free standards in seconds.

Who needs to avoid gluten, which grains contain it, how to read labels for hidden gluten sources, and what certified gluten-free means.

The difference between dairy-free and lactose-free, which ingredients to avoid, hidden dairy in processed foods and dairy-free alternatives.

How these three dietary approaches overlap and differ, which foods are permitted under each, and why a food can be one but not the other.

A practical guide to common symptoms, what they can indicate, and when to seek medical attention versus managing at home.

How BMI is calculated, what the categories mean, what BMI does not measure, and why it should be used alongside other indicators.

A transparent explanation of how each Afiya AI tool generates results, what data sources are used, and the important limitations of AI-generated information.