A complete guide to Islamic dietary laws, forbidden ingredients, E-codes, certification authorities, and how to identify truly halal products in 2026.
The word halal comes from the Arabic word meaning permissible or lawful. In the context of food, halal refers to food and drink that is permitted under Islamic dietary law as defined in the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The opposite of halal is haram, meaning forbidden. There is also a middle category called mushbooh or mashbooh, which means doubtful — used when the halal status of a food cannot be confirmed with certainty.
Islamic dietary law clearly identifies the following categories of food and drink as haram:
Pork in all its forms is strictly forbidden in Islam. This includes not just pork meat but also pork fat, pork gelatin, pork-derived emulsifiers, and any food that has been processed using pork products. This is one of the most clearly established prohibitions in the Quran (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:173).
The consumption of blood is forbidden in Islam. This applies to fresh blood, dried blood, blood sausages, and any food containing blood products as ingredients.
For meat to be halal, the animal must be slaughtered by a Muslim who pronounces the name of Allah (Bismillah) at the time of slaughter. The animal must be slaughtered with a sharp blade that severs the throat quickly, and the blood must be allowed to drain completely from the carcass.
Stunning of animals before slaughter is a subject of scholarly debate. JAKIM Malaysia and HMC UK have specific policies on this — JAKIM permits certain forms of reversible stunning while HMC generally prohibits pre-slaughter stunning.
All forms of alcohol and intoxicating substances are forbidden in Islam. This includes alcoholic beverages, vanilla extract with alcohol, and food products that contain alcohol above trace levels. The threshold for alcohol in food products is a subject of scholarly debate, with most authorities setting strict limits.
Animals that hunt with their teeth or birds that hunt with their talons are generally considered haram. This includes lions, tigers, wolves, eagles, falcons, and similar creatures.
Most insects are considered haram in Islam, with the exception of locusts according to most scholarly opinions. This is particularly relevant to food additives — carmine (E120) is derived from the cochineal insect and is therefore haram.
One of the most challenging aspects of following a halal diet in the modern world is understanding food additives, which are listed on packaging as E-codes. Many E-codes can be derived from either halal or haram sources depending on the manufacturer.
| E-Code | Name | Status | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| E120 | Carmine / Cochineal | Haram | Derived from cochineal insects |
| E441 | Gelatine | Usually Haram | Usually from pork or unslaughtered animals |
| E542 | Bone Phosphate | Haram | Derived from animal bones, often pork |
| E471 | Mono and Diglycerides | Doubtful | Can be plant or animal derived |
| E422 | Glycerol | Doubtful | Can be plant or animal derived |
| E631 | Disodium Inosinate | Doubtful | Can be animal, fish, or synthetic |
| E904 | Shellac | Doubtful | Derived from lac insect secretions |
| E920 | L-Cysteine | Doubtful | Can be from human hair, feathers, or synthetic |
| E100 | Curcumin | Halal | Plant derived from turmeric |
| E300 | Vitamin C | Halal | Synthetic or plant derived |
E471, known as mono and diglycerides of fatty acids, is one of the most widely used food additives in the world. It acts as an emulsifier, helping fats and water mix together. You will find it in bread, margarine, ice cream, biscuits, chocolate spread, and hundreds of other products.
E471 can be manufactured from either plant oils (such as sunflower, soybean, or palm oil) or from animal fats (including tallow from cattle or pork fat). Food manufacturers are not legally required to disclose which source they use, making it impossible to determine the halal status from the label alone.
JAKIM Malaysia classifies E471 as mushbooh unless the manufacturer provides written documentation confirming the plant source. HMC UK takes a similar position. IFANCA USA may accept E471 with appropriate documentation.
Halal certification is provided by Islamic organisations that audit food manufacturers and verify their processes comply with Islamic dietary law. Here are the most widely recognised and trusted halal certification bodies worldwide:
The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) runs one of the world's most rigorous halal certification programmes. JAKIM certification is recognised in over 70 countries and is considered the gold standard for halal certification globally. Look for the JAKIM halal logo on packaging sold in Malaysia and internationally.
The Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) is the leading halal certification body in North America. IFANCA certification is widely accepted across the United States, Canada, and internationally.
The Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC) is one of the most respected halal certification bodies in the United Kingdom. HMC has strict standards and does not permit pre-slaughter stunning, making it one of the most conservative and trusted certifications available.
The Halal Food Authority (HFA) is another widely accepted UK certification body. HFA standards permit some forms of pre-slaughter stunning under certain conditions.
The Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) is the national halal certification body for Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country. MUI certification is required for all food sold in Indonesia.
Use Afiya AI to verify any E-code or ingredient name against JAKIM, IFANCA, HMC, and 3 other databases. Get an instant Halal, Haram, or Mushbooh verdict with a full explanation.
Check Halal Status Free →Disclaimer: This guide is for general educational purposes based on mainstream Islamic scholarly opinion and rulings from major certification authorities. Individual scholars and schools of thought may have different opinions on specific issues. Always consult your local scholar or halal authority for definitive rulings on specific products or situations.