Halal

Species among land animals including cattle, lambs, goats, buffalo, deer, camels, rabbits, and giraffes are acceptable animals for Muslim consumption. Chicken, turkeys, pigeons, ostriches, geese, swans, ducks and alike are acceptable birds. The acceptable animals and birds must also be alive and healthy at the time of slaughter. They must have passed pre-slaughter health checks by competent authorities.Un-acceptable species including swine from which all pork and pork products are produced are considered Haram, and they are unfit for Muslim consumption. Also unacceptable are all animals which are considered beasts or birds of prey having talons, fangs or tusks such as lions, wolves, dogs, cats, tigers, hyenas, foxes, jackals, elephants and alike. Birds that prey on other animals and birds or eat the flesh of dead animals are also Haram, such as: falcons, eagles, vultures, crows, owls, etc. In addition animals which are considered filthy or dangerous are also Haram such as domesticated donkeys, mice, rats, poisonous snakes, scorpions, spiders, lice, etc. The milk and eggs of prohibited species are similarly prohibited for consumption. All fish and seafood including shellfish, crustaceans, shrimps, crabs, and lobsters are considered Halal without having to be slaughtered. Excluded are species which are poisonous, intoxicating or hazardous to human health. All plants and other species such as mushrooms, algae, bacteria, etc. are considered Halal except those which are poisonous, intoxicating or hazardous to human health. Halal foods other than meats include items that are derived from animals/birds that are slaughtered according to the Islamic guidelines, do not contain or come in contact with prohibited material such as pork or alcohol ingredients and do not contain any suspicious, harmful or Najs (filth) material. All ingredients must be approved Halal by the certifying organization. The processing of Halal foods must be performed in clean and sanitized machinery, equipment and other devices. Also, the packaging material must not contain any Najs, toxic or harmful material. All Halal packaged material must be labeled eligibly with the proper information and bearing a Halal label/logo of the certifying organization. Yogurt and yogurt products should not contain gelatin. If gelatin is used, it must be from bones and hides of Halal slaughtered animals. Many cheeses contain rennet and other enzymes are derived from animals. It is essential to ensure that these enzymes are derived from Halal slaughtered animals or from microbial or plant sources. Fruits and vegetables are all considered Halal. Processed fruits and vegetables may not be acceptable if they are processed in plants using non-Halal oils, fats, preservatives, flavoring, etc. The processing of these items does not warrant a continuous on-site Muslim inspection. The use of ingredients or processing oils must be evaluated for Halal status. Bakery goods do pose Halal concern. Breading on products like fried chicken or cheese sticks or use of breading in stuffing of fillers may contain questionable ingredients like cysteine, fats, oils, colors, flavors, preservatives and alcohol based ingredients. It is important to make sure no alcohol or animal based ingredients are used. Fats must be derived from Halal slaughtered animals and oils from a plant source. Haram preservatives or processing aids must not be used in vegetable based oil. If gelatin is made from an unlawful substance, such as pig's meat, bones, skin, or the like, it is unlawful. All products or ingredients containing alcohol are prohibited in Islam, even for cooking purpose or in filling for candies. Artificial and natural flavors, colors and some type of meat or vegetable bases may contain alcohol products used to carry the flavor. The level of alcohol in the final product should be below 0.5% to be acceptable. This amount will vary from country to country.

Vinegar, a by-product of derivative of alcohol, is permitted in Islam but it is advisable not to use the words "wine vinegar" in order not to confuse consumers. If gelatin is made from an unlawful substance, such as pig's meat, bones, skin, or the like, it is unlawful.