What Are the 10 Haram Foods That Muslims Think Are Halal?

In compiling the list below, we have adopted a careful and considerate approach. Your insights on this crucial matter are highly valued, and we invite you to share your thoughts. Should you find any discrepancies or inaccuracies in the information provided, please do not hesitate to bring them to our attention through your comments.

The foods listed below may be considered Halal in specific regions; however, broadly speaking, their Halal status is not guaranteed. It is essential to verify that they have been prepared in accordance with traditional Islamic dietary laws before consumption.

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10 Haram Foods Generally Considered Halal by Muslims

Let’s explore the foods that are generally considered Haram, yet are often mistakenly believed to be Halal by many Muslims.

1. Chocolates with Alcohol: Certain kinds of chocolates can contain alcohol. The ingredients of these chocolates should be carefully checked before consumption. If they contain alcohol then, obviously, they are haram without any question.
2. Jell-O: It’s a typical dessert containing gelatin, a protein derived from collagen which is found in pigs’ bones and skin. Can we find Halal Jell-O? Maybe not. Let us be on the safe side and avoid it as it is not suitable for a Halal diet. Most gelatin is derived from pork skins, pork, cattle bones, or split cattle hides.
3. Red Candy: Anything red that tastes extremely sweet in the candy category which is often dyed with the food coloring of carmine is made from dead crushed beetles. It is produced by insects that are boiled with sodium carbonate to get the red dye. There is a difference of opinion among the four Sunni schools of thought. The Hanafi school considers all types of insects and bugs completely forbidden. Malikis allow them to eat. However, both Shafi and Hanbali schools of thought allow eating some bugs but not others. So, you may want to decide which school of thought you follow in terms of eating bugs.
4. Instant Fried Tofu: It is often used as a meat substitute for vegans. Sometimes, it is fried in pork fat to maintain its crispiness. We recommend all Muslims check the ingredients before using tofu. Unfortunately, a lot of Muslims tend to think that all types of tofu are Halal. Of course, it is not true. So, do your due diligence before consuming it.
5. Cheese Fondue: It is prepared in wine or alcohol so it should be avoided. But, if alcohol is not used in preparing it you may use it. However, in most cases, it is prepared in wine. So, the answer is obvious.
6. Japanese foods: In most cases, the Japanese use soy sauce which is generally made of wine. They also use mirin to prepare their dishes. Mirin is made from rice wine, somewhat similar to sake. Sake is, of course, haram no matter what brand it may be.
7. Marshmallows: They also contain gelatin so they are haram. However, there are also vegan types that are considered Halal. You could use the vegan marshmallows, of course, without any question.
8. Cheesecake: Most cheesecakes contain gelatin to set the cheese as fermenting agents So be sure about the ingredients before you eat the cheesecake.
9. Salad dressing: While eating salad if you find it of a different taste please make sure that you don’t have baked fat topping sauce. You should be careful or use olive seeds instead. In Japan, haram sauce is very common. So, we do not use any dressing on the salad when we have to visit any regular Japanese restaurant. Recently, some manufacturers have started making vegan dressing as well. That is OK to consume, of course.
10. Cake mix: Sometimes it is made with pork fat so avoid eating it no matter how tasty it may be.

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