Which Sodas Are Halal in the USA?

What can make a soda not halal?

Four things are worth checking on a soda label. Most drinks pass all four. When a soda is flagged, it is almost always because of one of these.

Alcohol used to carry flavor. Sodas contain no drinking alcohol. Tiny traces can form naturally from flavorings, around 0.001%, which is far too little to make anyone drunk. Some flavor extracts are also dissolved in a small amount of alcohol to carry the flavor. Many scholars treat these tiny amounts as negligible, because they dissolve completely into the drink. This principle is called istihlak. Other scholars prefer to avoid them.

Colors, especially carmine (E120). Most soda colors, such as caramel color, are made in a factory and are halal. The exception is carmine, also called cochineal or E120. It is a red color made from insects, and some schools of thought consider it not permissible. It appears more often in red fruit sodas than in colas, and the label will name it.

Glycerin (E422). Some sodas use glycerin, also called glycerol, to keep them moist and smooth. Glycerin from plants or made in a lab is halal. Glycerin from animals is the concern. If a soda lists glycerin, what matters is its source, and only the company can confirm that.

"Natural flavors." This is a general term that companies do not have to explain in detail. These flavors usually come from plants, but the term is truly unclear. Large companies such as Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have said publicly that their flavor blends contain nothing from animals and no alcohol. A stricter reader can confirm this directly with the company.

Usually not a problem: caffeine (from plants or made in a lab), phosphoric acid (E338, made from minerals, not bone), citric acid, carbonation, and common sweeteners (sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, aspartame and sucralose) are all halal. People online often flag these by mistake.

How can you check any soda yourself?

• Read the ingredients for the four flags above: carmine or E120, glycerin or E422, a flavoring made with alcohol, and an unclear "natural flavors" line.
• Look for a halal certifier's symbol, such as IFANCA in the US, JAKIM in Malaysia or MUI in Indonesia. Certification applies to one country, and sometimes to one factory.
• If a line on the label is unclear, contact the company. Most companies publish a halal statement, or a statement about ingredients from animals, and will answer questions about each product.
• Remember that recipes differ from country to country. For this page, the US recipe is what matters.

Who certifies sodas as halal?

In the United States, the main certifier is IFANCA, which certifies a number of drinks. Around the world, JAKIM in Malaysia and MUI in Indonesia certify many of the same global brands. A brand certified in one country is not automatically certified in another, because recipes and approved suppliers differ between countries.

Frequently asked questions

Are most sodas halal?

By their ingredients, most popular sodas are halal. Carbonated water, sweeteners, citric or phosphoric acid, caffeine and lab-made flavors do not come from animals. The only questions are a few specific additives and whether a brand is halal-certified in your country.

Is there alcohol in soda?

Regular sodas contain no added drinking alcohol. Tiny traces, about 0.001%, can form naturally from flavor extracts, which is far too little to make anyone drunk. Some flavorings are dissolved in a small amount of alcohol. Many scholars consider these tiny amounts negligible, while others prefer to avoid them.

Is caffeine halal?

Yes. Caffeine comes from plants such as coffee beans and tea leaves, or it is made in a lab. No animal source is involved.

Is phosphoric acid (E338) in cola halal?

Yes. Phosphorus is found in animal bones, but the phosphoric acid in soft drinks is made in factories from phosphate minerals, not from animals.

Are the food colorings in soda halal?

Most soda colors, such as caramel color, are made in a factory and are halal. The one to watch is carmine, or cochineal (E120), a red color made from insects that some schools of thought consider not permissible. Many sodas use plant-based or lab-made reds instead.

What does "natural flavors" mean, and is it halal?

"Natural flavors" is a general term that companies do not have to explain in detail. These flavors usually come from plants, but the term can be unclear. Large companies such as Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have said publicly that their flavor blends contain nothing from animals and no alcohol. If you follow a stricter view, confirm directly with the company.

How do I know if a soda is certified halal?

Look for the symbol of a recognized certifier, such as IFANCA in the United States, JAKIM in Malaysia or MUI in Indonesia. Certification can change from country to country, and even from one bottling factory to another for the same brand.