How ingredients are classified
Not halal
Pork and its derivatives, blood, alcoholic beverages, and ingredients mainstream certification bodies reject — flagged clearly, with the reason.
Doubtful (mashbooh)
Source-dependent ingredients: gelatin, E471, glycerin, enzymes, natural flavors. Plant-derived is generally fine; animal-derived needs certification. We tell you which question to ask.
Generally fine
Ingredients that look scary but usually aren't — soy lecithin, pectin, carrageenan, fish gelatin, vinegar — with a note on why.
Questions we get
Is this a certification or a fatwa?
No. It's a screening tool built on classifications used by major halal certifiers. A clean result means no flagged ingredients — not a guarantee. For rulings, ask a qualified scholar; for assurance, look for accredited certification on the package.
What does mashbooh mean?
"Doubtful." The same ingredient — gelatin, mono- and diglycerides, glycerin, enzymes — can come from plants (generally fine) or animals (problematic unless properly slaughtered). The label rarely says which, so the resolution is certification or asking the manufacturer.
Why does it say scholars differ on some ingredients?
Because they do — carmine (E120), shellac (E904), and trace alcohol carriers are treated differently across schools and certifiers. We flag them conservatively and tell you a difference of opinion exists instead of pretending there's one answer.
Where does my photo go?
Nowhere. The label reading (OCR) and the analysis run entirely in your browser. We never see your photo, your list, or your results.
The full app is coming.
Barcode scanning, certified-product database, restaurant mode, madhhab preferences, and a scholar review board — before next Ramadan, insha'Allah.