Framework & Policy
Classification
Guide
How we evaluate products, assign safety levels, and assure Halal compliance.
The Green Zone
LV 1 — 5Officially halal certifiedworkspace_premium
(highest assurance)
Officially halal certified from a recognized authority. Certification indicates review of ingredients, sourcing, and manufacturing processes under Islamic dietary law. This provides the highest level of assurance. Suitable for all observance levels.
No animal, alcohol & ambiguous additivescheck_circle
(halal default)
Ingredient label shows no animal-derived, alcohol-based, or ambiguous additives. Under the fiqh principle of asl al-ibahah (default permissibility), food is considered halal unless evidence indicates otherwise. Suitable for all observance levels.
Ambiguous ingredients clarifiedeco
as plant or seafood-based
Ambiguous ingredients are clarified by source indicators such as “plant-based” or “seafood-derived.” Islamic jurisprudence generally permits plant sources and the majority of seafood. From a compositional standpoint, these sources do not involve prohibited animal fats or intoxicants. Suitable for all observance levels.
Likely halalgpp_good
no animal-derived allergens present
Ambiguous ingredients are considered as likely halal due to the absence of animal-derived allergens listed. These include products that contain shortening and/or emulsifiers that are determined to be plant-based due to the presence of “wheat” or “soy” allergens, and the absence of animal derived allergens.
Complex additivesscience
no explicit haram ingredients listed
Contains technical additives such as flavourings, thickeners, or fermentation-derived ingredients. These compounds may involve complex processing, but no explicit haram substances are listed (including in the allergen information).
The Grey Zone
LV 6 — 7Unspecified additive originsdevice_unknown
considered shubha
Contains additives such as emulsifiers and/or shortening with unspecified origin. In Islamic jurisprudence, unresolved doubt (shubha) is often avoided in stricter practice. Further verification is recommended.
May contain trace alcoholliquor
(processing/preservation)
May contain traces of alcohol used for food preservation such as those in bread, noodles, miso and sauces/condiments. Users are encouraged to exercise personal discretion.
The Red Zone
LV 8 — 9Contains non-halal ingredientsset_meal
(eg. gelatin, animal extract)
Contains ingredients commonly regarded as non-halal, such as animal extract, gelatin or meat without halal certification. Animal products without verified slaughter method remain impermissible. Not suitable for strict observance.
Contains / Contaminated with prohibited ingredientsblock
(e.g. pork, alcohol)
Contains explicitly prohibited substances such as pork or alcohol as an ingredient. Pork is categorically forbidden in Islamic law, and intoxicants (khamr) are explicitly prohibited. Avoid.
Our Audit Flow
We parse and scan the full ingredient list exactly as stated on the product label.
Detect ingredients falling into 'Red' or 'Grey' categories using our robust database.
Exclude ambiguous ingredients verified to be of strict plant or synthetic origin.
If a product contains no meat allergens, relevant ingredient flags are removed.
Check the manufacturing information provided on the product packaging. *This information is based solely on the manufacturer's official labeling.
Assign a final Halal Level (1-9) based on unresolved risks remaining after the audit.
Our Framework
Our app evaluates packaged foods in Japan using ingredient labels, allergen information, and halal certification where available. Certified products provide the highest assurance. When a product is not halal certified, we analyze ingredients to identify prohibited or uncertain items, including ambiguous additives and alcohol-related components. Products are then assigned a level on a 9-point scale, allowing users to make informed choices based on their level of halal observance.