There is a prevalent misconception among some Muslims that Pringles Halal or Haram due to the use of animal fat in the manufacturing process.
The majority of Muslims are unaware of the process and if made aware would agree that it does not affect Islamic food laws as long as they do not contain pork or alcohol.
However, despite this widespread belief, many in the Muslim community continue to set out strict regulations for food items such as this one which can have drastic and often negative effects on business activities and innovation.
Are Pringles halal?
The simple answer is yes. However, that doesn’t mean there are no concerns. There are a number of animals that are used during the production of Pringles including beef, pork and chicken. In some Pringles packaging, you may see the words “Halal” printed on it as well as a picture of the iconic tube.
Pringles have been around since 1929, when the Kellogg Company bought the rights to the tube of potato chips and began production. In 1995, the Kellogg Company was acquired by PepsiCo Inc which is now producing Pringles in its own factory in North Carolina.
Pringles have always contained some animal products. The whole potato is used for making the chips while vegetable oil and water are mixed with a mixture of cereal grains to create a dough that is shaped into tubes before being baked until they become crispy and delicious.
However, in the early 90s the original formula gave way to a vegetarian Pringles formula. Because of this change, many Muslims began to believe that Pringles were made only with vegetable oil and thus they could be eaten by those following halal dietary laws.
In reality, the new formula still contained pork fat and thus it was not considered halal for Muslims to eat.
In November of 2006 there was another change when potato starch was substituted with wheat starch which helped clarify things for people who were following halal dietary guidelines.
Is there pork in Pringles?
No, pork fat is no longer used in the production. The text on the side of the can and the pictures on it are about quality control and showing that it is a different product made in a different factory.
Which Pringles are not halal?
The Pringles with the pig on them are not considered halal. The Pringles with the cartoon pig on them are also considered non-halal because the pig was based on a toy which has prohibited images. Avoid Pringles Bacon then, please!
How do you get Pringles that don’t contain pork?
Residents of the United Kingdom and the US can purchase Pringles made without pork fat at major retailers such as Wal-Mart and Tesco. The same holds true for Posh Nosh crackers from Walkers Crisps and several other Kellogg Company products.
Why are Pringles halal?
The Pringles manufacturer responds to these questions about Pringles and their halal status on their website in a section called Frequently Asked Questions.
The company says that it uses natural oils in its products and never uses pork or any pork by-products like gelatin, L-cysteine, or animal skin in its original crisps.
The company says other vegetable oils are used for processing chips for the international market, but no pork or any other kind of meat is ever used during this procedure.
Are there any Muslims that believe Pringles are haram?
There are some Muslims that believe Pringles are haram and have responded to this question in the past by saying that they believe that the use of pork fat in the production makes it unlawful for Muslims to consume.
However, this is incorrect as no meat is ever used in the production of Pringles. As long as you do not have any regard to pork, Pringles are halal.
Conclusion: Is eating Pringles Halal or Haram?
Pringles are a brand of stackable potato crisps or chips owned by the Kellogg Company. They consist of a fluted, pre-cooked, spun dough of wheat flour seasoned with salt and vinegar.
Once fried in oil, it puffs up into a tight curl to hold the seasoning. It has thin skin and is generally eaten whole with the salty, vinegar flavoring inside.
They are one of the most popular products for snacking as they can be stored for long periods of time and are very versatile to eat with almost anything.
Various Muslim groups have been debating over whether or not Pringles are halal or haram
The vegetable oil used in Pringles doesn’t contain pork fat. The company claims that their products are made from natural ingredients and are free from animal derived products.
So Pringles are halal but one should be aware of the animal-derived ingredients that may be present in other Pringles food varieties.
Do you agree with this? Is there a different way to interpret this hadith? What would you like us to write about?
