Halal is an Arabic word, meaning lawful, and is the Islamic dietary law that identifies food permitted for Muslims.

The consensus is that food/drinks must be free of pork, alcohol/intoxicants, poisons, harmful ingredients, or unhygienic elements. The animals that are allowed for consumption must be slaughtered per the methods prescribed under Islamic law, known as Zabihah.

Halal food items include: Zabiha meat (beef and lamb) and poultry. Fish with scales.

Haram Foods (Not Permitted) 

•    Pork and its by-products e.g. gelatin, lipase, pepsin 

•    Meat from animals not slaughtered according to the Islamic dietary law 

• Alcohol and foods prepared with alcohol e.g. candies and cakes that include alcohol such as rum cake 

•    Foods made with pure or artificial vanilla extract (vanilla is prepared with alcohol) 

•    Foods containing blood and blood by-products e.g. blood pudding 

•    Foods made with any of the following: whey prepared with non-microbial enzyme, rennet, animal shortening, monoglycerides and diglycerides from an animal source, sodium stearoyl- lactylate, L-cysteine.