Halal Marshmallow Brands in the USA

What makes a marshmallow halal or not?

A marshmallow is mostly sugar, water and a gelling agent, whipped with air. Whether it is halal depends almost entirely on that gelling agent.

Gelatin is the problem. Traditional marshmallows are set with gelatin, which is a protein taken from animal skin and bones. In the US it often comes from pigs, and almost all scholars say pork is haram. Beef gelatin is halal only if the cattle were slaughtered the Islamic way, called zabiha. So "beef gelatin" on its own is not enough unless it is halal-certified.

There are two ways a marshmallow can be halal. The first is that its gelatin is halal-certified, which means it comes from zabiha beef or from fish. The second is that it uses no gelatin at all and is set with a plant ingredient, such as carrageenan, which comes from seaweed, or tapioca starch. Vegan marshmallows are in this second group, and they are halal by ingredient.

A label that just says "gelatin" is a warning sign. US labels rarely name the animal. Unless the package says fish or halal-certified beef, or the product is certified, treat "gelatin" as doubtful.

Not the problem: the sugar, corn syrup, dextrose, vanilla flavor and colors in marshmallows do not decide the answer. The gelling agent does. A marshmallow made with certified or plant-based gelling is halal, even though it is still very sweet.

How can you check any marshmallow yourself?

• Look for gelatin in the ingredients. If it is listed with no source, treat it as doubtful.
• The word "halal" or a certifier's mark, such as IFANCA, ISWA or HFSAA, on the package is the reliable green light.
• "Vegan" or "gelatin-free" marshmallows are halal by ingredient. They use carrageenan or tapioca instead.
• Recipes change, so check the label again instead of trusting what you remember about a brand.

Where can you find halal marshmallows?

You can find halal-certified and vegan marshmallows at halal grocery stores, natural food stores, Trader Joe's and online. Brands made with certified beef gelatin, such as Ziyad, and vegan brands, such as Dandies, are the dependable choices. Ordinary supermarket marshmallows are usually set with gelatin from animals.

Frequently asked questions

Are most marshmallows halal?

No. Most regular US marshmallows are set with animal gelatin. Campfire and Peeps say theirs is made from pork, and Jet-Puffed and most store brands do not name the animal. Halal options exist, but they are the exception.

Why is gelatin in marshmallows a problem?

Gelatin is made from animal skin and bones. In the US it often comes from pigs, and US labels rarely name the animal. So "gelatin" with no stated source is treated as doubtful, unless the product is halal-certified or plant-based.

Are vegan marshmallows halal?

Yes, by ingredient. Vegan marshmallows, such as Dandies and Trader Joe's plain marshmallows, use no gelatin at all. They are set with plant ingredients such as carrageenan or tapioca starch, so there is no concern about animal sources.

Is beef gelatin in marshmallows halal?

Only if the cattle were slaughtered the Islamic way. The words "beef gelatin" alone do not promise that. Look for a halal certification that confirms zabiha beef gelatin, as on brands such as Ziyad.

How do I know a marshmallow is halal-certified?

Look for a recognized certifier's mark on the package, such as IFANCA, ISWA or HFSAA in the US. A "halal" claim backed by one of these is much stronger than an ingredient list with no mark.