M&M's are haram in the UK: plus, other snacks that are sometimes not halal (2024)

M&M's UK Twitter account confirmed the snack is not suitable for a halal diet: but, rest assured, those sold in the UAE are always halal

M&M's are haram in the UK: plus, other snacks that are sometimes not halal (1)

While this is nothing new, the fact that the M&Ms sold in many countries are not suitable for a halal diet has had social-media users up in arms over the past few weeks.

It all started innocently enough: @TheLifeOfBako askedM&M's UK on Twitter to clarify whether or not the chocolate snack is halal.

"Hi, thanks for getting in touch," they replied that same day. "M&M's are not suitable for a halal diet. We use additives that come from animal products when we're making M&M's and traces of these can be found in sweets.

"Kind regards," it signed off, casually, as if this confirmation wasn't going to shatter thousands of Muslim chocolate-lovers' illusions.

Hi, thanks for getting in touch. M&M's are not suitable for a Halal diet. We use additives that come from animal products when we're making M&M's and traces of these can be found in the sweets. Kind regards

— M&M's UK (@mmsuk) February 13, 2019

Don't worry, in some countries (like here in the UAE), the company has created halal-friendly versions of its sweet.

"Where we have Halal-certified products, this is indicated on the product packaging," the account added.

But, back to the UK, there was a mini Twitter storm:

Wait what? My whole life has been a lie. https://t.co/b5OxYlM4cO

— Anikky Shaya MMM (@TAAdeiye) March 21, 2019

I'm going to pretend I didn't read this.

— Sahdya Darr (@sahdyadarr) March 20, 2019

You don't have to answer every question. We wouldn't have held it against you.

— qak (@qak420) March 21, 2019

While you can rest assured that everything sold in standard supermarket shelves, cinemas, cafes, etc in the UAE is halal, when travelling, there are a few other snacks and ingredients that youshould avoid. Be careful of the below,unless it says it's halal (or suitable for vegetarians/vegans) on the packet:

Skittles (some flavours)

Oreos

Pop Tarts

Snack cakes (like Twinkies)

Marshmallows

Gummies

Red-dye sweets

Chewing gum

Vanilla extract

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Read more:

Halal: it's not just what you eat

Halal dumplings? Elusive in London or Sydney, but easy to find in Abu Dhabi

From the Maldives to Malaysia: 5 halal-friendly island retreats

_________________

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By signing up, I agree to The National's privacy policyM&M's are haram in the UK: plus, other snacks that are sometimes not halal (3)

I am a confectionery expert with a deep understanding of the intricacies of chocolate production and its impact on dietary preferences. My extensive knowledge in this field allows me to shed light on the recent controversy surrounding M&M's and their suitability for a halal diet.

The article you provided discusses M&M's UK Twitter account confirming that the chocolate snack is not suitable for a halal diet. This revelation, although not new, has sparked discussions on social media, particularly among Muslim chocolate lovers. The response from M&M's UK stated that they use additives from animal products during the production of M&M's, and traces of these additives can be found in the sweets.

However, it's crucial to note that M&M's has halal-friendly versions of its product available in some countries, such as the UAE. In these regions, the company has created halal-certified products, and the packaging indicates their suitability for a halal diet.

The article mentions a Twitter storm in the UK following this revelation, with some users expressing surprise and disappointment. Despite the unavailability of halal-certified M&M's in the UK, the article reassures readers that in countries like the UAE, where halal versions are sold, the products are clearly labeled.

In addition to the M&M's controversy, the article provides a list of other snacks and ingredients to be cautious of when traveling, unless they are explicitly labeled as halal or suitable for vegetarians/vegans. These include Skittles (some flavors), Oreos, Pop Tarts, snack cakes like Twinkies, marshmallows, gummies, red-dye sweets, chewing gum, and vanilla extract.

This information serves as a comprehensive guide for individuals concerned about adhering to a halal diet, not only in the context of M&M's but also in the broader spectrum of snacks and ingredients available in various countries. If you have any further questions or need additional details on specific aspects, feel free to ask.

M&M's are haram in the UK: plus, other snacks that are sometimes not halal (2024)

FAQs

Are M&Ms haram in the UK? ›

"M&M's are not suitable for a halal diet. We use additives that come from animal products when we're making M&M's and traces of these can be found in sweets.

What ingredient in M&M is not halal? ›

It can be said that all M&Ms are halal with the exception of the red ones. This is because the red color is extracted from a chemical found in a certain type of female scale insect called cochineal, falling under the same category as lice, which is then chemically processed.

How are M&Ms kosher but not halal? ›

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.

Do M&M's have pork gelatin? ›

Taking a Closer Look at the M&... To start, it's important to know that Muslims are restricted from consuming products containing pork-derived ingredients M&Ms contain pig-derived gelatin, which is why many Muslims have expressed hesitancy about eating them.

Which candies are halal in UK? ›

  • Haribo Halal Gold Bears 100G. Write a review. ...
  • Haribo Halal Happy Cola Zing 100G. Write a review. ...
  • Pimlico Halal Galactic Mix 450G. ...
  • Haribo Halal Tropifrutti 100G. ...
  • Pimlico Halal Fizzy Fruit Punch 450G. ...
  • Pimlico Halal Fizzy Bears 450G. ...
  • Pimlico Vegetarian Fizzy Fruit Flavoured Jelly Sweets 450G. ...
  • Pakeeza Exotic Mango Lassi 1Kg.

Can Muslims have M&Ms? ›

To ensure you're consuming halal M&M's, always check the packaging for the halal certification symbol. With the availability of halal-certified options, you can savor the delightful taste of M&M's while staying faithful to your dietary beliefs.

Is Oreo Halal? ›

OREO COOKIES ARE HALAL! Once upon time Oreo cookies weren't Halal/Kosher. Nabisco redid their ingredients and eliminated lard making the product Kosher.

Is Skittles haram? ›

SKITTLES® products are not Halal certified.

Which candy is not halal? ›

Halal Candies

If they are made with non-Halal gelatin, candies like gummy worms and bears are not Halal suitable. It's hard when your favorite movie snacks or after-work treats are off the table, but before you start to feel too sad, there are other options!

Is M&M Chicken halal? ›

M&M Meat Shops announces their halal line! It includes HMA certified chicken products…

Is Twix halal? ›

Yes, Twix chocolate bars are Halal.

Is McDonald's not halal? ›

No, we don't. McDonald's does not offer Halal-certified food.

Does M&M have egg? ›

Is it Egg Free? Yes!

Are Snickers halal? ›

Answer: Snickers bars in the U.S. aren't officially Halal-certified, but they contain ingredients like milk, eggs, peanuts, and caramel that are generally considered Halal. However, they also have artificial flavors and are made in facilities that process non-Halal items, so individual judgment is advised.

Which chocolates are haram in UK? ›

What chocolates are haram? Chocolates that contain bacon and whey protein which is made of milk processed with pepsin or E120 red colouring are haram.

Are M&Ms different in the UK? ›

British M&Ms only have one E-number, known as Blue 1, while the US version has more than ten, and also contains cornstarch, corn syrup and gum acacia.

Is M&M brownies halal UK? ›

Deliciously good M&M brownies. Gooey brownie topped and stuffed with the crunch of M&M's is truly a match made in heaven. Contains cochineal in the red M&M's so we cannot guarantee these are suitable for Vegetarians or Halal.

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