Is Chunky tomato, garlic & onion sauce Halal?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a processed food is Halal, we must look beyond the obvious vegetables. The base of this sauce is TOMATO PUREE and DICED TOMATOES, which are naturally Halal. These are combined with ONION, DRIED ONIONS, and GARLIC POWDER. These are all plant-derived and permissible.

The potential issue lies in the catch-all term NATURAL FLAVOR. In the food industry, natural flavors can be derived from meat or dairy sources. For example, natural beef flavoring is sometimes used to enhance savory profiles, and some natural flavors are extracted using alcohol as a solvent. Without a specific certification from the manufacturer, we cannot guarantee the source of this flavoring.

Fortunately, the emulsifiers and acids used here, such as CITRIC ACID and CALCIUM CHLORIDE, are synthesized from non-animal sources and are considered Halal. SUGAR is also safe, as it is not processed with bone char in this context. However, the lack of a Halal certification logo on the packaging is the ultimate deciding factor.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, this sauce is relatively standard for a jarred pasta sauce. It is low in fat, primarily due to the SOYBEAN OIL used for texture. The calorie count is moderate, making it a reasonable addition to a balanced diet.

The main concern for health-conscious consumers is the SUGAR content. Many jarred sauces add sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. If you are monitoring your sugar intake or managing weight, you should be mindful of portion sizes. The sodium content from SALT is also within typical ranges for processed foods.