Smarties are some of the tastiest chocolate treats you’ll find in shops and supermarkets all over the UK.
However, for many Muslims, they’ve proven to be some of the most confounding. That’s because no one’s too sure – are Smarties halal or haram?
In this guide, I’ll get to the bottom of the query – keep reading for what I’ve discovered!
Are Smarties certified halal?
The quick, easy answer here is that no, Smarties are not certified halal. That’s the official line from Nestle, the chocolates’ manufacturer. However, the company doesn’t go into more detail than this – even when consulted via Twitter!
Similarly, Smarties are not approved for vegan diets – indicating animal-derived ingredients may be to blame.
However, there’s a further issue that’s making the Smarties debate a little more confusing!
Why might Smarties be haram?
While it’s not confirmed in the chocolates’ list of ingredients, there’s been some concern over the years that Smarties may contain shellac, which is derived from animal produce (specifically, beetle secretions – yuk!). Nestle hasn’t confirmed if shellac makes their products haram.
However, no ingredients in Smarties’ current recipe appear to be haram. In years gone by, they had previously included cochineal, or E120 – an additive that’s derived from insects that helps to create certain colours.
After some outcry at the start of the 00s, Nestle changed its recipe, effectively ensuring they were now made from alternative ingredients.
This still doesn’t really answer the question whether or not Smarties are halal or haram – and this certainly appears to divide Muslims.
Some Sharia experts believe they are safe to eat, while others believe they should be avoided. The general line of advice appears to be that if you’re unsure whether or not your Smarties contain haram ingredients – don’t eat them!
Conclusion
Smarties, for all they are tasty and quick to snack on, are surprisingly complex – they’ve stirred up quite a debate!
The ingredients in the current Smarties recipe appear to be halal, though Nestle confirms that Smarties are not halal-certified. In addition, some Sharia experts advise to avoid the sweets outright.
It’s a good idea to read the label before eating any sweets or chocolate you think might be haram.
Given Nestle’s official advice via their website, I’d recommend you avoid eating Smarties until they receive an official halal certification. Sorry, chocolate lovers!
