Halal Candy Brands in the USA

What makes a candy halal or not?

Three ingredients decide almost every candy verdict. Sugar, corn syrup, acids and lab-made colors are fine. These three are the ones to look for.

Gelatin is the big one. The chewy texture in gummies and some chews usually comes from gelatin. In the United States, gelatin often comes from pigs, and most scholars say it is haram unless it is halal-certified or clearly made from fish or zabiha beef. That is why gummy bears and many soft candies fail, while hard candies pass.

Carmine (E120) is the red dye made from insects. Carmine, also called cochineal, is a red color made from insects, and many schools of thought consider it not permissible. It shows up in some red and pink candies, and the label will name it.

Shellac (confectioner's glaze) is the shiny coating. The glossy shell on some candies is shellac, a resin produced by the lac insect. Views differ, and some Muslims avoid it. It is listed as "confectioner's glaze."

The product line matters more than the brand. One company often sells a hard candy without gelatin and a gummy with gelatin under the same name. Examples include Jolly Rancher hard candy and Jolly Rancher gummies, and Airheads bars and Airheads Bites. Always check the exact product.

How can you check any candy yourself?

• Read the ingredients for gelatin, carmine or cochineal, and confectioner's glaze (shellac).
• If a candy has no gelatin, no carmine and no shellac, it is halal by its ingredients, although it is usually still not certified.
• A halal symbol, from IFANCA or another certifier, is the strongest confirmation.
• Check the specific product line, because hard candy and gummy versions of the same brand are often different.

Are US candies halal-certified?

Very few popular US candy brands have official halal certification. So most "halal" verdicts on this page are based on the ingredients rather than a certificate. Candy brands made to be halal, which are sold at halal grocers and online, are the certified choice when you want that assurance.

Frequently asked questions

Which popular US candies are halal?

Candies without gelatin are the safe group. Skittles, Twizzlers, Swedish Fish and Sour Patch Kids are halal by their ingredients in the United States. They contain no gelatin. Only check the colored varieties for shellac or carmine.

Why are Haribo and Starburst not halal in the US?

Both are made with gelatin. Haribo Gold-Bears use pork gelatin in US production, and US Starburst contains gelatin from beef or pork sources. Neither is halal-certified, so both are treated as not halal.

Are Skittles halal?

US Skittles contain no gelatin and are halal by their ingredients, although they have no official halal certification. Recipes differ from country to country, so this answer is about the US product.

What is carmine, and which candies have it?

Carmine, also called E120 or cochineal, is a red color made from insects, and many Muslims consider it not permissible. It appears in some red and pink candies and colored coatings, for example certain Nerds. Check the label of colored products.

Is shellac (confectioner's glaze) halal?

Shellac is a resin from the lac insect that is used to make candies shiny. Scholars disagree: some allow it, and some avoid it. It is listed as "confectioner's glaze," so you can choose based on the view you follow.