Is Bone Marrow & Liver Capsules Halal?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When evaluating a supplement like Bone Marrow & Liver Capsules for Halal compliance, we must look beyond the primary nutritional sources and examine the excipients—the materials used to create the delivery system. The product generally contains three main ingredients: New Zealand Grass-Fed Liver, New Zealand Grass-Fed Bone Marrow, and Gelatin (used for the capsules).

The first two ingredients, liver and bone marrow, are derived from bovine (cow) sources. In Islamic jurisprudence, consuming cattle is generally Halal, provided the animal is slaughtered according to Zabihah guidelines. However, the third ingredient, Gelatin, is the deciding factor. Gelatin is a protein obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments, and/or bones with water. It is usually obtained from cows or pigs.

Because the product specifies that the liver and marrow are bovine, it is highly likely that the gelatin used is also bovine in origin. While bovine gelatin is technically permissible in the Hanafi school of thought if the animal was slaughtered Islamically, most commercial supplement manufacturers do not certify their gelatin as Zabihah. Without a specific Halal certification logo on the bottle, the gelatin is considered Mashbooh (suspect). Therefore, until verified by a Halal certifying body, this product cannot be recommended as Halal.

Nutritional Value

Setting aside the religious restrictions for a moment, these capsules are a nutritional powerhouse. They are designed to provide a concentrated dose of fat-soluble vitamins, specifically Vitamin A, Vitamin K2, and Vitamin D. Because they are derived from grass-fed sources in New Zealand, the nutrient profile is robust, containing high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids and Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA).

In terms of macronutrients, these capsules are very low in carbohydrates and sugar. They fit well into almost any diet, including Keto, Paleo, and Carnivore diets. The calorie count per serving is generally negligible compared to whole food sources of liver or marrow. However, because liver is high in Vitamin A, users should be mindful of total daily intake to avoid hypervitaminosis A, though this is rarely an issue with standard capsule dosages.