Halal food guides
Is it halal? Ingredient guides
Short, clear answers to the halal questions that come up most at the grocery store — written to match how the Halal Pal Scanner app checks every ingredient.
How to scan food to check if it’s halalUse a halal scanner app on a barcode or ingredient list in seconds.
How to tell if food is halalCertification, ingredients to avoid, and the doubtful ones to check.
Is gelatin halal?Pork, beef, fish and “halal gelatin” — what the label tells you.
Are natural flavors halal?Why “natural flavors” is doubtful — and artificial flavors usually aren’t.
What does mushbooh mean?The “doubtful” category, common examples and what to do.
Halal and haram E-numbersA quick-reference list of the E-numbers that matter for halal.
Are mono- and diglycerides halal?E471 is everywhere — here’s when it’s a problem.
Dhabiha vs. standard halalWhat dhabiha (zabiha) means and why opinions differ on meat.
Is cheese halal?It depends on the rennet and enzymes used to make it.
Is whey protein halal?Whey comes from cheese-making — so the rennet question carries over.
Are gummy bears and marshmallows halal?Gelatin, carmine and glaze — what to check in sweets.
Is pepperoni halal?Most pepperoni is pork — here’s what to look for instead.
Is vanilla extract halal?It’s made with alcohol — here’s how scholars view it.
Is carmine halal?The red dye made from insects — and the different views.
Is shellac (confectioner’s glaze) halal?The shiny coating on candy comes from an insect secretion.
Is L-cysteine halal?A bread dough conditioner often made from feathers or hair.
Skip the label reading
Halal Pal Scanner is a free halal scanner app for iPhone. Scan a barcode or ingredient label and see if food is Halal, Mushbooh or Haram — and exactly why.
Download on the App StoreThese guides are general information, not religious rulings. Scholars sometimes differ — when in doubt, consult a qualified scholar or a certified halal authority.