Industries
Halal flavours and ingredients certification
Flavours, additives and ingredients go into many other products, so a mistake here travels far. TGHA examines where each ingredient comes from and how it is made, so your customers can use it with confidence.
What we assess
- Alcohol used as a solvent or carrier: its source, its purpose and its level in the finished product
- Animal-derived ingredients such as gelatine, animal rennet, lipase and other enzymes, emulsifiers, glycerol and L-cysteine
- Evidence of source: plant, microbial, synthetic or animal, and, for animal ingredients, how the animal was slaughtered
- Microbial products: the growth media must not contain prohibited ingredients
- Processing aids in sugar and other ingredients, for example the origin of bone char used in decolourising
- Supplier certificates and declarations for higher-risk items
Where authorities differ
- Alcohol. Several authorities allow ethanol as a flavouring solvent if it is not from liquor production and the finished product stays under a limit, but the limits differ. Not every certifier accepts it.
- Gelatine. Pig gelatine is prohibited. Scholars differ on whether transformation changes the status of gelatine from other sources, and the International Islamic Fiqh Academy has issued no final ruling. Many certifiers require a halal certificate for gelatine.
- Animal rennet. Most participants at the International Islamic Fiqh Academy did not permit rennet from animals not slaughtered according to Islamic law. Rennet from properly slaughtered permitted animals, and microbial or genetically engineered rennet, are accepted by that Academy.
- Glycerol and emulsifiers such as E471 depend on source. Muis lists both as doubtful until the source is known.
Common issues
Wine, rum or other liquor-based flavour bases; undeclared alcohol carriers; emulsifier, glycerol or enzyme of unspecified source; microbial products grown on animal-protein media; processing aids that were overlooked.
Documents we usually ask for
For higher-risk items: a halal certificate, a supplier compliance declaration and an ingredient declaration. For medium-risk items: a supplier certificate or suitability statement, a safety data sheet and an ingredient declaration. For lower-risk items: a specification sheet and an ingredient declaration.
Frequently asked questions
Is gelatine halal?
Only if it comes from a halal source and process. Pig gelatine is prohibited. Scholars and certifiers differ on transformation, and many require a halal certificate for gelatine.
Can flavours contain alcohol?
Many authorities allow ethanol as a solvent if it is not from liquor production and the final product stays under a set limit. Limits differ, and not every certifier accepts it.
Are emulsifiers such as E471, and glycerol, halal?
It depends on the source. Plant or synthetic sources are generally treated more favourably than animal sources such as tallow. Muis lists both as doubtful until the source is known.
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.