What brands of candy are halal? A guide to safe and delicious sweets

October 14, 2025 •

4 min read

With the global halal food market growing significantly each year, it's increasingly important for consumers to know what brands of candy are halal to ensure compliance with Islamic dietary laws. While many popular confectionery products are not automatically permissible, a wide and delicious variety of halal-certified, vegan, and gelatin-free options are now available to satisfy a sweet tooth. This guide will help you navigate the options and make informed choices.

Quick Summary

Several brands offer halal-certified or inherently compliant candy options, often relying on plant-based alternatives like pectin instead of animal-derived gelatin. Key brands to look for include Sweetzone, Bebeto, and BUBS, as well as many mainstream products like Twizzlers and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, though verification is key for some items.

Key Points

Check for certification: Look for official halal symbols from bodies like IFANCA or HMC to ensure a candy is compliant.
Avoid animal gelatin: Many gummies and chewy candies contain pork gelatin, which is forbidden; opt for products listing plant-based alternatives like pectin.
Read ingredient labels thoroughly: Always check for hidden non-halal ingredients, including alcohol-based flavorings, carmine (E120), and animal-derived emulsifiers.
Consider vegan options: Most vegan candies are free from animal-derived products, making them a generally safe choice for halal diets, but verify flavorings.
Use verification apps: Utilize technology like the Scan Halal app to quickly check a product's halal status by scanning its barcode.
Brand vigilance is key: Some mainstream brands have specific product lines or regional versions that are halal, so always verify the exact item rather than the entire brand.

Understanding Halal Candy Ingredients

For a candy to be considered halal, it must not contain any ingredients that are forbidden under Islamic law. The most common issues arise from the source of gelatin, alcohol-based flavorings, and certain food colorings and emulsifiers.

The Gelatin Problem

Gelatin is a gelling agent frequently used in chewy candies, gummies, and marshmallows to give them their characteristic texture. Traditionally, gelatin is made from animal collagen, most commonly from pigs (porcine). Since pork and all its by-products are considered haram (forbidden), any candy containing pork-derived gelatin is not permissible. Beef gelatin can be halal, but only if the animal was slaughtered according to Islamic rites. To avoid this uncertainty, many halal candies use plant-based alternatives.

Plant-based gelatin alternatives: Ingredients like pectin (from fruits and vegetables), agar-agar (from seaweed), and carrageenan are excellent gelatin substitutes and are always considered halal.

Alcohol-Based Flavorings and Additives

Alcohol is forbidden in Islam, and its use in flavorings or as a processing aid renders a product haram. Many standard vanilla extracts, for example, contain ethyl alcohol. Halal-compliant candies must use alcohol-free flavorings. Consumers should be vigilant about reading ingredient labels for alcohol-based ingredients.

Popular Halal Candy Brands

Finding halal candy is becoming easier thanks to dedicated manufacturers and mainstream brands expanding their product lines. Below is a list of some reliable options.

Dedicated Halal and Vegan Brands

Sweetzone: A UK-based brand widely recognized for its range of halal-certified jelly sweets, gummies, and chews.
Bebeto: Another well-known brand offering halal gummy products like jelly bears and pencils.
BUBS: A Swedish brand that has gained popularity for its 100% halal-certified and vegan candy, particularly their signature skull-shaped foam and gummy sweets.
Candy Kittens: Known for its gourmet vegan gummies, which are made without gelatin.
YumEarth: An organic brand offering a variety of vegan and gelatin-free candies like hard candies and chewy fruits.

Mainstream Brands with Halal Options

For mainstream candies, the halal status can sometimes vary by region or product line. Always check the packaging for certification or consult brand-specific resources.

Twizzlers (Y&S): The majority of Twizzlers and Nibs products are listed as halal-compliant by Islamic organizations.
Reese's: Many Reese's peanut butter products, such as the Peanut Butter Cups and Reese's Pieces, are listed as halal.
Tic Tac: All flavors of Tic Tacs listed in some directories are halal.
Skittles: In most countries, Skittles are vegan-friendly and do not contain gelatin or carmine, though sugar processing can be a concern for some.
Cadbury: Certain Cadbury products are explicitly halal-certified in some international markets, such as Pakistan.

How to Confirm Halal Status Yourself

Since formulations can change and vary by region, it is best practice to verify a candy's halal status before consumption. Here’s a simple checklist to follow:

Look for a Certification Symbol: The most direct method is to look for a stamp of approval from a recognized Islamic organization, such as IFANCA (USA), HMC (UK), or JAKIM (Malaysia).
Read the Ingredient List: Check for common non-halal ingredients like gelatin (unless plant-based is specified), carmine (E120), shellac (E904), and alcohol.
Check for Vegan Labels: Products labeled as vegan are generally free from animal-derived ingredients, making them a safe bet. However, always double-check for alcohol-based flavorings.
Use Halal Verification Apps: Apps like Scan Halal allow users to scan product barcodes to check their halal status.
Contact the Manufacturer: For definitive confirmation, especially if a certification is absent, contact the company directly for details on ingredient sourcing and manufacturing processes.

Comparison of Halal Candy Options


Feature	Dedicated Halal/Vegan Brands	Mainstream Brands (Selected Items)
Certification	Often explicitly certified by reputable halal bodies.	Certification is inconsistent and varies significantly by region and product.
Gelatin Source	Reliably use plant-based alternatives like pectin or agar-agar.	Requires careful label-checking; some may be naturally gelatin-free while others contain animal-derived gelatin.
Alcohol Content	Committed to using alcohol-free flavorings.	Must be checked carefully; vanilla extract can contain alcohol in some varieties.
Availability	More common in specialty stores, online retailers, and regions with large Muslim populations.	Widely available in most grocery and convenience stores, but halal status may need individual verification.
Vegan Options	Many are exclusively vegan, making selection easy.	Many products are unintentionally vegan (e.g., hard candies), but brand-wide commitment is less common.
Transparency	Often transparent about ingredient sourcing and production processes to cater to a specific market.	Can be less transparent; sourcing info might be difficult to obtain without direct contact.

Conclusion

Finding what brands of candy are halal requires diligence, but a diverse and growing range of compliant options exists. By understanding problematic ingredients like animal gelatin and alcohol, leveraging modern resources like halal certification logos, and checking for vegan alternatives, Muslim consumers can confidently choose safe and delicious sweets. Whether selecting a product from a dedicated halal brand or verifying a mainstream favorite, being an informed shopper is the best way to enjoy confectionery without compromising on dietary principles. For more comprehensive information on halal compliance, consider consulting a reliable resource like ISA Halal.

Frequently Asked Questions

While most gelatin-free candies, often made with pectin or agar-agar, are considered halal, it is still crucial to check for other non-halal ingredients like alcohol-based flavorings, carmine, or other animal-derived additives.

In most countries, Skittles are considered vegan and do not contain animal-derived gelatin or carmine. However, some very strict interpretations might question the processing of the sugar. Checking for a certified halal logo or a vegan label is the surest method.

The easiest way is to look for a logo from a recognized halal certifying body on the product's packaging. Examples include IFANCA (Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America) or HMC (Halal Monitoring Committee).

Carmine (E120) is a red food coloring derived from crushed cochineal insects. Since it is insect-based, many Islamic scholars consider it haram. It is best to avoid candies containing this additive.

No. While Kosher products share some similarities with halal, they are not always permissible under Islamic law. For instance, some kosher gelatin may not be from a halal source, making it unacceptable for a halal diet.

Some mainstream brands offer halal-compliant candies, but it is product and region-specific. Known examples include Twizzlers, some Reese's products like Peanut Butter Cups, and Tic Tacs. Always check the ingredients and for certification on the specific product.

While vegan sweets avoid animal products like gelatin, they can still contain alcohol-based flavorings or other additives that may not be halal. Always check the ingredient list for potential issues beyond just animal products.

Dedicated halal brands like Sweetzone, Bebeto, and BUBS are often available through online halal retailers, specialty food stores, and in areas with significant Muslim populations. These brands explicitly market their products as halal.