Halal is the Arabic word for ‘permissible’, and food that adheres to Islamic law is known as halal food.

In Islam, animals must be slaughtered by a cut to the jugular vein, carotid artery, and windpipe, so all the blood is drained from the carcass.

Many vitamins are encased in a soft gel capsule that is made from gelatine, an animal-based product.

For a vitamin or supplement to be considered halal, it must be made from an animal product that has been slaughtered following the practice of Islam.

Gummy vitamins are a popular choice, especially for those who struggle to take tablets, like small children.

However, most gummy vitamins are usually made with the animal product gelatine, so you’ll need to look for a vegetarian alternative or a halal-certified product.

But these might still contain alcohol, so always read the label carefully to be safe.

Haram means ‘forbidden’ in Arabic, and many of the ingredients included in popular vitamins, unfortunately, are unsuitable for Muslims.

The most common ingredients you’ll need to watch out for are gelatin and alcohol.

Gelatin is usually made from pork, which can’t be considered halal.

Some products are sourced from cows, but if the label doesn’t mention halal, it’s probably not been slaughtered in adherence to Islamic law.

Alcohol is frequently found in liquid supplements, like syrups, so it’s always important to check the label beforehand to ensure they’re okay for you to use.

As whey is created when you make cheese, it’s dependent on if the cultures used to make the cheese are sourced from milk or meat.

If both of these ingredients are made from halal milk cultures, then your protein powder is suitable for you.

Always check the label on the back of your protein powder to find where the whey is sourced.

Cod liver oil in its raw form is considered halal as it’s derived from fish.

But it’s the added ingredients used to turn it into a supplement that might not be halal.

To take cod liver oil in its primary form wouldn’t be very nice, so gelatine is usually used to capsule it, an ingredient that is typically sourced from cows or pigs.

You may want to try a vegan version of omega 3 instead, but always check the label to ensure it’s halal sourced and contains no haram products.