Is Kraft Mac and Cheese halal? All You Need to Know

Indulging in a steaming bowl of Kraft Mac and Cheese has been a beloved comfort food ritual for countless households around the world. But for those who adhere to halal dietary restrictions, the question of whether this iconic dish meets their culinary requirements remains unanswered.

Is Kraft Mac and Cheese halal? Join us on a tantalizing quest to uncover the truth behind this cheesy conundrum, as we unravel the ingredients in this beloved pasta dish.

Is Kraft Mac and Cheese halal?

No, Kraft Mac and cheese is not halal certified. The cheese mix in Kraft Mac and Cheese includes animal enzymes. The animal enzymes used in Kraft Mac and Cheese come from animal sources, and it’s crucial to ensure that they are halal.

According to online sources, the sources of their animal enzymes are not halal.

Unraveling the Ingredients

To determine if Kraft Mac and Cheese is halal, it’s crucial to examine the ingredients that go into this classic pasta dish.

According to the official ingredient list provided by Kraft, the main components of Kraft Mac and Cheese include:

• Enriched macaroni (wheat flour, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid),
• Riboflavin [vitamin b2],
• Folic acid
• Cheese sauce mix (whey, milk, salt, milk protein concentrate, sodium tripolyphosphate, contains less than 2% of citric acid, lactic acid, sodium phosphate, calcium phosphate, with paprika, turmeric, and annatto added for color, enzymes, cheese culture).

While the ingredients may appear harmless at first glance, closer inspection reveals potential concerns for those seeking halal products.

The use of enzymes in the cheese raises questions about their sources and whether they comply with halal requirements.

According to scholars, if enzymes are extracted from animals that were slaughtered in accordance with the Sharee‘ah, then there is absolutely nothing wrong with eating the food products that contain such enzymes.

But if such enzymes are extracted from dead animals, it is obligatory to avoid them because it is impermissible to eat dead animals or any product whose ingredients include dead animal extracts.

According to the apparent meaning of the opinions reported from the majority of scholars among the Malikis, Shafi’is and Hanbalis, it is impure (najis) and should not be eaten.

They base this ruling on the verse (interpretation of the meaning):

“Forbidden to you for food) are: al-maytatah (dead animals – cattle-beasts not slaughtered).”

al-Maidah 5:3

The rennet becomes impure by virtue of the animal’s death, and it is not possible to remove that impurity from it.

Imam al-Nawawi said in al-Majmu’ (9/68):

“The ummah has agreed that it is permissible to eat cheese so long as it is not mixed with anything impure, such as adding rennet from a source that is not halal because it was not slaughtered according to shari’ah. This ijma’ (scholarly consensus) is the evidence for its permissibility.”

The second view, which is that of Abu Hanifah and is one of two opinions narrated from Imam Ahmad, is that rennet from dead animals or animals that were not slaughtered according to Shari’ah is still tahir (pure). This is also the opinion which Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah.

It is better to avoid whenever reasonably possible when its source is unknown because of the difference of opinion between the Sunni schools of Fiqh regarding its permissibility and the doubt therein.

It is better if a person abstains from it. If nothing impure has been added to vegetarian or synthetic rennet, it will be Halal.

Related readings: Are Pringles Halal? A List of Halal Flavours

Halal Mac And Cheese

For those who strictly follow a halal diet, there are alternative options available in the market.

Some food companies offer halal-certified macaroni and cheese products that are made with halal-certified ingredients and processed in accordance with halal guidelines.

These products are specifically labeled with halal certifications from recognized certifying bodies, providing assurance to consumers who seek halal-compliant options.

If you’re looking for a halal alternative to Kraft Mac and Cheese, you’re in luck! There are plenty of delicious plant-based options available that can satisfy your cheesy pasta cravings without any animal-derived ingredients.

Here are a few vegan and halal alternatives for Kraft Mac and Cheese:

Daiya Deluxe Cheddar Style Cheezy Mac

This popular vegan macaroni and cheese brand offers a creamy and flavorful cheddar-style sauce made from plant-based ingredients. It’s made with non-GMO pasta and contains no dairy, lactose, or gluten.

Earth’s Best Organic Elmo Mac ‘n Cheese

Perfect for little ones, this vegan macaroni and cheese features fun Elmo-shaped pasta made with organic wheat flour and a dairy-free cheese sauce made from plant-based ingredients.

Annie’s Vegan Mac

Annie’s Homegrown, known for their organic and natural products, offers a vegan macaroni and cheese made with organic pasta and a rich, creamy sauce made from plant-based ingredients. It’s also free of artificial flavors, preservatives, and synthetic colors.

Check out Annie’s organic Mac and Cheese on Amazon

Homemade Halal Mac and Cheese

For those who prefer making their own macaroni and cheese from scratch, there are countless vegan mac and cheese recipes available online.

You can use ingredients like nutritional yeast, plant-based ingredients, butter or margarine, and spices to create a deliciously creamy and cheesy sauce for your pasta.

These are just a few examples of the many vegan alternatives available for Kraft Mac and Cheese.

As the popularity of plant-based diets continues to rise, more and more companies are offering delicious vegan macaroni and cheese options that are both satisfying and cruelty-free.

Conclusion

Based on the information available as of the knowledge cutoff date, Kraft Mac and Cheese cannot be considered halal.

While the ingredients used in Kraft Mac and Cheese may individually meet halal requirements, the product does not have halal certification from any recognized certifying body.