Industries
Halal non-alcoholic beverage certification
Alcohol is the central question for any drink. Authorities generally agree that drinks made from alcohol are not halal. They differ on trace alcohol that comes from flavours, from natural fermentation, or from carriers. TGHA assesses where your alcohol comes from, how much is in the finished drink, and which limit applies in your market.
What we assess
- Ethanol: its source and its level in the finished drink
- Flavours, colours and emulsifiers, which can be alcohol-based or animal-derived
- Processing aids and fining agents, including enzymes of animal origin
- Control of fermentation, where fermentation is part of the process
- Product name, imagery and marketing, which should not suggest an alcoholic drink
- Equipment, cleaning and shared lines
TGHA applies the ethanol limit set by the authority of your destination market.
Where authorities differ
Limits depend on the authority and the market. For example, Indonesia's MUI tolerates ethanol below 0.5 percent in finished beverages when it does not come from the liquor industry. Malaysia's National Fatwa Committee permits soft drinks below 1 percent by volume when they are not made as liquor. Singapore's Muis allows ethanol as a flavouring solvent up to defined limits in the flavouring and in the finished product. Some certification bodies apply stricter limits by drink category. Some authorities, such as Indonesia's MUI, do not certify drinks whose name or taste imitates an alcoholic drink, for example zero-alcohol beer or wine. The International Islamic Fiqh Academy does not permit foods that contain wine, even in small amounts, while accepting trace alcohol as a solvent for colourants and preservatives.
These are the positions of those bodies. They are not TGHA's limits. Tell us your target market and we will confirm what applies.
Common issues
- Alcohol-based flavour carriers that carry over into the drink
- Added alcohol, for example in a drink with a liquor flavour
- Natural fermentation that raises alcohol above the permitted level
- Names, colours or imagery that suggest an alcoholic drink
- Colours and emulsifiers from questionable sources
Documents we usually ask for
Ingredient and flavour specifications that state the alcohol content and what carries the flavour, supplier halal certificates, and test results for ethanol where relevant.
Frequently asked questions
Can a drink with 0.5 percent alcohol be halal?
It depends on the authority and the market. Some authorities tolerate it when the alcohol is not from the liquor industry. Others set lower limits or none. Confirm the rule in your target market before you ship.
Can zero-alcohol beer be certified?
Some authorities, for example Indonesia's MUI, do not certify it because its name and taste imitate a prohibited drink. Other bodies differ. TGHA assesses it against the rule of your destination market.
Does alcohol in a flavour matter if the final drink is "non-alcoholic"?
Yes. Limits apply to the alcohol in the finished drink, and several authorities also require the flavour carrier not to come from liquor production.
Ready to certify with confidence?
Tell us your product, site, and target market — we'll come back with a costed proposal and an indicative timeline.