Halal Frozen Fries and Tater Tots in the USA

Why ask if fries are halal?

A potato is halal. The questions come from how fries are cooked and seasoned.

Beef fat. Some fries, especially at restaurants, have been fried in beef tallow. Tallow is halal only if the cattle were slaughtered the Islamic way.

"Natural beef flavor." Some fries add a meat flavor. Our McDonald's page explains that McDonald's fries in the US contain natural beef flavor, so they are not just potatoes and oil.

Seasonings. Cheese, bacon or "natural flavors" can be added to seasoned fries.

Frozen fries are usually simpler than restaurant fries

The frozen fries we checked are pre-fried in vegetable oil, such as soybean, cottonseed, canola or sunflower oil. They list no beef fat and no beef flavor. Colors such as annatto, paprika and caramel color are plant-based or made from sugar, and they are halal.

Restaurant fries are a different question. Even halal-by-ingredient fries can be cooked in the same fryer as non-halal chicken or other meat. Ask the restaurant about shared fryers.

Seasoned and cheese fries

Plain fries and tots are the safe choice. Seasoned versions need a closer look. Watch for "natural flavors," cheese (which can use animal enzymes), and bacon bits. Some brands sell parmesan or "loaded" fries that add these.

How can you check a bag yourself?

• Look at the oil. Vegetable oil is halal. Beef fat or tallow is not, unless it is halal certified.
• Look for "beef flavor" or "natural flavors." A meat flavor rules it out. Unexplained natural flavors are doubtful.
• Check cheese and bacon seasonings on flavored fries.
• Ask about shared fryers when you eat fries out.

Frequently asked questions

Are Ore-Ida fries halal?

The Ore-Ida Extra Crispy fries, crinkles and Tater Tots we checked list potatoes, vegetable oil, starches, salt and plant-based colors. They contain no beef fat or meat flavor. They are not halal certified.

Are McCain fries halal?

McCain's 5 Minute Shoestring and Quick Cook Crinkle Cut fries list potatoes, vegetable oil, starches and salt, plus annatto or caramel color. Both colors are halal. They are not halal certified.

Are tater tots halal?

Ore-Ida Extra Crispy Tater Tots list potatoes, vegetable oil, salt, corn flour, onion and garlic, so they are halal by their ingredients. Grown in Idaho Crispy Potato Tots add natural flavors with no stated source, so they are doubtful.

Do frozen fries contain beef fat?

None of the frozen fries we checked lists beef fat or tallow. They use vegetable oils. Check the bag, as recipes can change.

Are McDonald's fries halal?

McDonald's fries in the US contain natural beef flavor, so they are not the same as plain frozen fries. See our McDonald's page for the full answer.