M&M's UK Twitter account confirmed the snack is not suitable for a halal diet: but, rest assured, those sold in the UAE are always halal
Mar 24, 2019
While this is nothing new, the fact that the M&Ms sold in many countries are not suitable for a halal diet has had social-media users up in arms over the past few weeks.
It all started innocently enough: @TheLifeOfBako askedM&M's UK on Twitter to clarify whether or not the chocolate snack is halal.
"Hi, thanks for getting in touch," they replied that same day. "M&M's are not suitable for a halal diet. We use additives that come from animal products when we're making M&M's and traces of these can be found in sweets.
"Kind regards," it signed off, casually, as if this confirmation wasn't going to shatter thousands of Muslim chocolate-lovers' illusions.
Hi, thanks for getting in touch. M&M's are not suitable for a Halal diet. We use additives that come from animal products when we're making M&M's and traces of these can be found in the sweets. Kind regards
— M&M's UK (@mmsuk) February 13, 2019
Don't worry, in some countries (like here in the UAE), the company has created halal-friendly versions of its sweet.
"Where we have Halal-certified products, this is indicated on the product packaging," the account added.
But, back to the UK, there was a mini Twitter storm:
Wait what? My whole life has been a lie. https://t.co/b5OxYlM4cO
— Anikky Shaya MMM (@TAAdeiye) March 21, 2019
I'm going to pretend I didn't read this.
— Sahdya Darr (@sahdyadarr) March 20, 2019
You don't have to answer every question. We wouldn't have held it against you.
— qak (@qak420) March 21, 2019
While you can rest assured that everything sold in standard supermarket shelves, cinemas, cafes, etc in the UAE is halal, when travelling, there are a few other snacks and ingredients that youshould avoid. Be careful of the below,unless it says it's halal (or suitable for vegetarians/vegans) on the packet:
Skittles (some flavours)
Oreos
Pop Tarts
Snack cakes (like Twinkies)
Marshmallows
Gummies
Red-dye sweets
Chewing gum
Vanilla extract
_________________
Read more:
Halal: it's not just what you eat
Halal dumplings? Elusive in London or Sydney, but easy to find in Abu Dhabi
From the Maldives to Malaysia: 5 halal-friendly island retreats
_________________
Weekender
Get the highlights of our exciting Weekend edition every Saturday
By signing up, I agree to The National's privacy policy
I am a confectionery expert with a deep understanding of the intricacies of chocolate production and its impact on dietary preferences. My extensive knowledge in this field allows me to shed light on the recent controversy surrounding M&M's and their suitability for a halal diet.
The article you provided discusses M&M's UK Twitter account confirming that the chocolate snack is not suitable for a halal diet. This revelation, although not new, has sparked discussions on social media, particularly among Muslim chocolate lovers. The response from M&M's UK stated that they use additives from animal products during the production of M&M's, and traces of these additives can be found in the sweets.
However, it's crucial to note that M&M's has halal-friendly versions of its product available in some countries, such as the UAE. In these regions, the company has created halal-certified products, and the packaging indicates their suitability for a halal diet.
The article mentions a Twitter storm in the UK following this revelation, with some users expressing surprise and disappointment. Despite the unavailability of halal-certified M&M's in the UK, the article reassures readers that in countries like the UAE, where halal versions are sold, the products are clearly labeled.
In addition to the M&M's controversy, the article provides a list of other snacks and ingredients to be cautious of when traveling, unless they are explicitly labeled as halal or suitable for vegetarians/vegans. These include Skittles (some flavors), Oreos, Pop Tarts, snack cakes like Twinkies, marshmallows, gummies, red-dye sweets, chewing gum, and vanilla extract.
This information serves as a comprehensive guide for individuals concerned about adhering to a halal diet, not only in the context of M&M's but also in the broader spectrum of snacks and ingredients available in various countries. If you have any further questions or need additional details on specific aspects, feel free to ask.