Pepsico's Frito-Lay, which makes SunChips, is up-front that some of its snacks are made with enzymes derived from pork, but only online.
"Pork enzymes may be used in the milk that makes the real cheese for some of our cheese seasonings," it says on a web page that lists which of its foods in the US do not contain "porcine enzymes".
I picked up the Harvest Cheddar flavour of SunChips from The Sultan Centre in Azaiba. TSC doesn't have a special section selling pork for non-Muslims; you would thus assume that everything on the shelves is halal.
However.. the harvest cheddar flavour is made with porcine enzymes, at least for the US. While Frito Lay does note that "products sold in other countries under similar brands may be made using slightly different recipes and ingredients to accommodate local needs and preferences", and the pack does have a little "export" logo on it, you wonder.
After all, ingredients don't say anything about pork. What if the chips are indeed made with pork but this information didn't make it to whichever authority approves halal foods for import into Oman? Or are enzymes derived from pork considered such a negligible part of the production process that the chips are considered halal anyway?
If these chips are indeed made with porcine enzymes I think it is only fair that the food is labelled accordingly. It's clear that Frito Lay doesn't do this, or it wouldn't need a specific web page just to address this issue for the US.
As to whether these are halal.. who knows? Frito Lay doesn't say anything about what goes into the SunChips made for export. I had wanted to give these as a gift to a Muslim friend but decided not to in the end.
TSC also sells the french onion flavour which is fine according to that same web page. But after all that.. I find I prefer Walkers' SunBites to SunChips.
Click on this picture to view it larger or to access the folder of pictures of life in Muscat in 2010.
FAQs
The original classic flavor is generally halal worldwide, containing only potatoes, vegetable oil, and salt. Other flavors like BBQ, Salt & Vinegar, and Dill Pickle are halal if free of animal enzymes or flavors.
Do Sun Chips have pork enzymes? ›
For those who wish to avoid these enzymes, we have a list of "Products Made without Porcine Enzymes" available here. Our non-seasoned, salted-only snacks, such as Lay's Classic, Ruffles Original, Fritos Original, Santitas, Tostitos, SunChips Original and Rold Gold Pretzels, do not have animal enzymes of any kind.
What ingredients are not halal in chips? ›
Pork lard is often used to add a crisp and creamy flavour to the chips, which isn't naturally obtained on deep-frying. It is certainly not allowed. Many chips are cheese flavoured, and they might contain non-permissible cheese or whey.
What chips are halal? ›
Lays potato chips has Tapioca starch which is plant based and free from gluten. All the ingredients you found in Lay's are 100% Halal.
Do Sun Chips have meat? ›
You see, some Sun Chip flavorings have contained pork enzymes in the past. It seems that these days, original Sun Chips do not contain pork enzymes and can generally be considered vegetarian, though this is hard to confirm.
Are Takis halal certified? ›
Takis® are made from real corn and potatoes. None of its ingredients includes pork, lard, pepsin, pork gelatin, alcohol or alcohol-derived ingredients, cochineal, or carmine, but have not been certified by a qualified authority to determine Halal compliance with Islamic dietary guidelines.
Can Muslims eat Doritos? ›
Doritos contain animal products and therefore are not considered Halal. They don't state what type of rennet the cheese products within it use; if it's animal rennet, the cheese would not be considered halal.
Can Muslims eat French fries? ›
No, McDonald's Fries are not halal. In America, McDonald's fries aren't halal-friendly. But, in different countries, McDonald's uses exclusive components, so their fries may be halal or halal-friendly. Standard, halal food is permissible for Muslims to eat or drink in keeping with Islamic law.
Is Oreo halal? ›
Oreo cookies became Kosher, which is also Halal, in 1998. Before then people would just eat the Hydrox brand which was already Kosher. Different brand, just as tasty. And yes, Kosher is Halal, unless alcohol is used in cooking which isn't an issue with Oreos.
Is McDonald's halal or not? ›
“do you use pure meat in your beef burgers”
Hello! Our 100% pure and Halal meat is all sourced from approved suppliers who adhere to McDonald's stringent food quality and safety standards as well as globally-recognized Halal practices.
Although the original Skittles is halal, it is best to read the label on other flavours and products, as they sometimes switch up the ingredients.
Are Lay's halal? ›
No, lays is not halal..as it contains E631 which means disodium inosinate and it contains several types of meat..
Are Sun Chips vegetarian? ›
Are Original Sunchips Vegan? Only one flavor of Sunchips is currently acceptable for vegans: The Original flavor. Original Sunchips do however contain some ingredients that may be an issue for strict vegans. These ingredients are sugar and natural flavor.
Which BBQ chips are halal? ›
LAY'S POTATO CHIPS – BARBECUE FLAVORED is Halal Suitable.
What are Sun Chips made of? ›
Whole Corn, Sunflower And/Or Canola Oil, Whole Wheat, Brown Rice Flour, Whole Oat Flour, Sugar, Maltodextrin (Made From Corn), Salt, Whey, Natural Flavors, Cheddar Cheese (Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Onion Powder, Buttermilk, Potassium Chloride, Romano Cheese (Cow's Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), ...
Are the chips in McDonald's halal? ›
No, McDonald's Fries are not halal. In America, McDonald's fries aren't halal-friendly. But, in different countries, McDonald's uses exclusive components, so their fries may be halal or halal-friendly. Standard, halal food is permissible for Muslims to eat or drink in keeping with Islamic law.
