Halal Sprinkles and Cake Decorations in the USA

Why are sprinkles a halal question?

Sprinkles are mostly sugar, starch and oil, which are halal. The questions come from what makes them shiny and colorful.

Confectioner's glaze (shellac). Many sprinkles are coated in confectioner's glaze to make them shine. It is shellac, a resin made by lac insects, also listed as E904. Scholars disagree on it: some allow it, others avoid it.

Carmine (E120). A red color made from crushed insects. Most scholars avoid it, while the Maliki school allows it. Some natural decorations use it.

Carnauba wax. A wax from the leaves of a palm tree. It is plant-based and halal.

Natural flavor. Some sprinkles add flavor without saying what it is made from.

Gelatin. Rare in plain sprinkles, but some decorations and candy toppers use it. Check the label.

The vegan sprinkles to look for

If you want to avoid shellac and carmine, look for sprinkles labeled vegan or "no confectioner's glaze." Supernatural says all its products are 100% vegan and lists no confectioner's glaze. India Tree's natural sprinkles are labeled vegan, but India Tree says a few of its other decorations use confectioner's glaze or carmine, so check each product page.

Artificial colors are fine

Colors such as Red 40, Yellow 5 and Blue 1 are made in a lab, not from animals. They are not a halal problem. The color to watch for is carmine, which may also be listed as cochineal or E120.

How can you check a jar yourself?

• Look for "confectioner's glaze," "shellac" or E904. Treat them as doubtful.
• Look for carmine, cochineal or E120. Most scholars avoid them.
• Look for "vegan." Vegan sprinkles contain no shellac, carmine or gelatin.
• Check every jar in a mix pack. Different shapes in one pack can have different ingredients.

Frequently asked questions

Are Betty Crocker sprinkles halal?

Betty Crocker Rainbow Sprinkles and Nonpareils contain confectioner's glaze (shellac), which scholars disagree on, so they are doubtful. The rainbow version also lists natural and artificial flavor. They are certified kosher, which is not the same as halal.

Is confectioner's glaze halal?

Confectioner's glaze is shellac, a resin made by lac insects. Scholars disagree: some allow it, others avoid it. That is why we treat it as doubtful. Our shellac page explains both views.

Are vegan sprinkles halal?

Vegan sprinkles contain no shellac, carmine or gelatin, which removes the main questions. Some still add natural flavor with no stated source.

Is carnauba wax halal?

Yes. Carnauba wax comes from the leaves of a palm tree. It is plant-based.

Which sprinkles have no shellac?

Supernatural sprinkles and India Tree's natural sprinkles list no confectioner's glaze. Sweetapolita's sprinkles also list none, though they add natural flavor.