Industries
Halal herbal product certification
Plants themselves are generally not a halal concern. What is done to them, and what they are mixed with, is. TGHA reviews the extraction, the carriers and the capsule so a herbal product can be assessed on its whole formula.
What we assess
- Extraction method and any ingredient isolation or fermentation
- Alcohol used as an extraction solvent or co-solvent, and the residue in syrups and tinctures
- Capsule shells, which are usually gelatine and often animal-derived
- Animal ingredients in some traditional formulations
- Animal-derived processing aids and enzymes
- Carriers and excipients
- Cross-contamination in sites that also make non-halal products
Where authorities differ
Alcohol as an extraction solvent is treated differently by different authorities. Malaysian committee decisions allow alcohol as a solvent in medicines and fragrances if it is not from liquor production, and set a food and drink limit separately. No limit specific to herbal products has been found. Tell us your market and we will confirm what applies.
Common issues
Assuming that "herbal" means plant-only; contract sites that also make non-halal products; alcohol residue in syrups and tinctures; weak records for the origin of imported extracts.
Documents we usually ask for
A list of botanicals and other ingredients with origin, the extraction process and the solvent used, excipient specifications, the capsule shell certificate, and supplier certificates or declarations.
Frequently asked questions
Are herbal products automatically halal?
No. Some herbal products contain animal ingredients, gelatine capsules or alcohol, so they need verification.
Is ethanol extraction acceptable?
Views differ, and so do limits. Malaysian committee decisions allow alcohol as a solvent in medicines if it is not from liquor production. No limit specific to herbal products was found, so confirm the rule in your market.
Do capsule shells matter?
Yes. The source of gelatine decides the status of a capsule, and plant-based alternatives exist.
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.