Is Grill mates montreal steak seasoning Halal?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look at the label first. The ingredients for Grill Mates Montreal Steak Seasoning are: coarse salt, spices (including black pepper and red pepper), garlic, onion, sunflower oil, natural flavor, and extractives of paprika.

On the surface, this looks clean. Coarse salt, garlic, and onion are naturally Halal. The spices (black and red pepper) are plant-based. Sunflower oil is a vegetable oil, which is permissible. The red color comes from extractives of paprika, which is simply a pigment extracted from peppers.

The primary flag is natural flavor. In food science, 'natural flavor' can be derived from plant or animal sources. While the base of this seasoning is savory and peppery (suggesting plant sources like mushroom or celery), manufacturers sometimes use animal-derived 'natural flavor' to enhance umami notes. Without specific certification from the manufacturer (McCormick), we cannot guarantee the source of this flavoring is not animal-derived.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Grill Mates Montreal Steak Seasoning is very low in calories, fat, and sugar. A standard serving (1 tsp) contains approximately 0-5 calories. It is essentially a flavor enhancer, not a significant source of macronutrients.

The main ingredient is coarse salt, so sodium content is the primary health consideration. It fits well into low-carb, keto, and paleo diets. Because it contains no sugar, it is suitable for those monitoring glycemic intake. However, for those on a strict low-sodium diet, this seasoning would need to be used sparingly.