Over the past two years, plant-based food consumption has grown by 49% across the EU, reaching a total sales volume of €3.6 billion.
Is “natural” halal?
2025-05-15
The word “natural” on a product label often misleads consumers into thinking the product is healthy or halal for Muslims, but this is not always the case.
For example, when a product is made with natural flavorings, the ingredients may come from animals, fruits, vegetables, or even eggs or dairy.
Sami Absy, Halal Affairs Coordinator in Omaha, said:
"It's a grey area. The idea is that it's natural and not made in a lab. Natural doesn't necessarily mean healthy. There aren't as many safety measures in place for natural flavorings."
"Artificial flavorings, on the other hand, are something that's rigorously produced in a lab and have more safety measures in place."
Meanwhile, Absy advises consumers to contact the company if they see natural flavourings listed on the ingredient label but the product is not halal certified.
Part of Absy's job is to trace the origins of natural flavorings before products can qualify as halal.
“It’s a rigorous process,” he says. “It can be very ambiguous. For example, the processing company may have an idea of what is used, but may not have detailed information. If they don’t know, I have to go to the ingredient company, find the original source, and get information from them. Only then can I determine whether this natural seasoning is from a halal source.”