Friday 4 June 2010

A Guide to Halal Food Selection

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. (The Holy Quran)

Instructions

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

  1. Read the ingredients on label carefully. Ingredients are listed according to the amounts present. The first ingredient listed is present in the largest amount.
  2. Identify the Halal/Haram/Mushbooh status of each ingredient using this guide.
  3. Search the ingredient name in the list and its status will be next to it.
  4. If all ingredients of a product are Halal, the product is fit for Muslim consumption.
  5. If any of the ingredient is Haram, the product should not be consumed.
  6. 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 Haramsource. 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 Muslim prevents himself from consuming doubtful things.

Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) 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 theHaram." (Sahih Bukhari & Sahih Muslim)

IngredientStatus
Acetic AcidHalal
AlcoholHaram
Ammonium SulfateHalal
Ammonium ChlorideHalal
Animal FatHaram
Animal ShorteningHaram
Ascorbic AcidHalal
AspartameHalal
Bacon (Pork)Haram
Benzoate/Benzoic AcidHalal
BHAHalal
BHTHalal
Calcium CarbonateHalal
Calcium SulfateHalal
CarrageenanHalal
CholesterolMushbooh
Citric AcidHalal
Cocoa ButterHalal
Collagen (Pork)Haram
Corn Meal / Corn StarchHalal
Corn SyrupHalal
Dextrin / DextroseHalal
Dicalcium PhosphateHalal
DiglycerideMushbooh
Diglyceride (plant)Halal
EDTAHalal
EnzymeMushbooh
ErgocalciferolHalal
ErgosterolHalal
Ethoxylated Mono-/Di GlycerideMushbooh
Fatty AcidMushbooh
Ferrous SulfateHalal
FructoseHalal
Fungal Protease EnzymeHalal
Gelatin / Kosher GelatinHaram
GlucoseHalal
GlycerideMushbooh
Glycerol / GlycerinMushbooh
Glycerol StearateMushbooh
GlycogenMushbooh
Gum AcaciaHalal
HormonesMushbooh
Hydrogenated OilHalal
Hydrolyzed Animal ProteinMushbooh
Hydrolyzed Vegetable ProteinHalal
LardHaram
LeaveningsHalal
Lecithin (commercial)Halal
MaltHalal
Malto DextrinHalal
MolassesHalal
Monocalcium PhosphateHalal
Mono SaccharidesHalal
MonoglyceridesMushbooh
MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)Halal
Nitrates / NitritesHalal
Nonfat Dry MilkHalal
Oxalic AcidHalal
PABAHalal
Vegetable OilHalal
Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable OilHalal
Pectic MaterialsHalal
PectinHalal
PepsinMushbooh
PhospholipidMushbooh
Phosphoric AcidHalal
PorkHaram
Potassium BenzoateHalal
Potassium BromateHalal
Potassium CitrateHalal
PropionateHalal
Propionic AcidHalal
Renin / RennetMushbooh
SaccharineHalal
SaltHalal
ShorteningMushbooh
Soy ProteinHalal
Soybean OilHalal
SucroseHalal
TapiocaHalal
Tricalcium PhosphateHalal
VinegarHalal
WheyMushbooh
YeastHalal

Source: www.uh.edu

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