So, are kosher certified M&Ms halal? The short answer is yes, kosher certified M&Ms that are made in the U.S.A. are considered halal by most Islamic scholars. This is because the production process for M&Ms includes monitoring and supervising of the ingredients used in their manufacturing process to ensure Kosher certification standards are met and all necessary products components are free from haram elements.
Here's a quick overview of how it works:
Ingredients: To get kosher certification, all ingredients must be sourced from suppliers that follow Kosher regulations and meet strict standards, such as avoiding any animal products or by-products that are not permissible in Islam (e.g pork, shellfish).
Production: All production of M&Ms is supervised by rabbis throughout the production process to ensure all necessary steps are taken to achieve kosher standards (e.g if animal fats are used they must come from a defined list of approved animals).
Packaging: The final step before they hit store shelves involves another round of Rabbinical supervision to confirm that all necessary steps have been taken to produce a product fit for Muslim consumption according to Islamic law.
Given this rigorous process, there is no doubt that U.S. produced M&Ms can be classified as Halal in the U.S., so you can enjoy them guilt-free!
What About Non-Halal Ingredients?
You might be surprised to learn that not all the ingredients in M&M's are halal. To understand why, you need to know a little bit about what goes into an M&M.
Base Ingredients
The ingredients vary slightly from flavor to flavor, but take M&M's original Milk Chocolate as an example — the base ingredients are sugar, cocoa butter, skim milk, chocolate liquor, lactose and milk fats. All of these can be considered halal ingredients, as long as they have been produced without any non-halal processes.
Additional Ingredients
There are additional ingredients added to the base when making different M&M’s varieties: Things like artificial colors and artificial flavors which could come from sources like pork gelatin or alcohol-based extracts, which would render them haram or non-halal. That’s why researching and knowing where your products come from is important!
At the end of the day it's all about understanding the source of each ingredient — if you’re able to confirm that all of your food has been made without any non-halal ingredients or processes then it doesn't matter if it's an M&M or something else; it will still be considered halal for consumption!
Alternatives to M&Ms to Find Halal Treats in the USA
If you're looking for a Halal option here in the USA, you still have options! Here are some tasty alternatives to keep an eye out for:
Organic Chocolate Chips
Organic chocolate chips are a great way to get your chocolate fix. There are a number of organic brands that make Halal-certified snacks — just double check the ingredients list for any animal-derived ingredients or fillers.
Dairy-Free Alternatives
There are loads of vegan chocolate bars, chips and morsels available from popular brands like Enjoy Life and Hu Kitchen that offer great Halal alternatives. These brands use high quality plant-based ingredients like cocoa butter and coconut oil.
Gummy Treats
Haven’t you craved those fruity, chewy treats sometimes? They’re delicious, but if you’re looking for something Halal certified then you should look into brands like Surf Sweets and Vidal that offer Halal-certified gummy treats without any animal ingredients or by-products. Just remember to look out for artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives when shopping around!
Conclusion
The bottom line is that you can enjoy M&M's chocolate candies in the United States with confidence that they are Halal. While there is no 100% guarantee that all M&M's are halal, the ingredients that are used to make them have been thoroughly reviewed and have all been certified as halal.
At the same time, however, it's important to remember that M&M's are still a type of candy and may not be in line with the dietary requirements of many who follow the Islamic faith. Be sure to do your research and understand what ingredients and products are specifically certified Halal to make sure you are making informed decisions when it comes to what food you eat.
