Is Mission white corn tortillas restaurant style Halal?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a processed food is Halal, the devil is in the details. For Mission's white corn tortillas, the primary ingredients are simple: corn masa flour and water. However, the additives used to maintain texture and shelf-life are where scrutiny is required. Let's look at the specific additives found in the 'restaurant style' variety.

The preservatives listed—propionic acid, benzoic acid, and phosphoric acid—are synthetic chemical compounds. While they sound intense, they are entirely man-made and not derived from animals. In the context of Halal certification, synthetic preservatives are generally considered permissible (Halal) as they do not violate Islamic dietary laws regarding animal slaughter or sources.

Texture modifiers are also present, specifically cellulose gum and guar gum. Both of these are derived from plants (cottonseed and guar beans, respectively). They are standard thickeners used to prevent the tortillas from sticking together and to maintain the 'pliable' texture promised on the package. There are no red flags here.

Finally, we have amylase. This is an enzyme often used in baking to break down starches. In the food industry, microbial amylase is produced via fermentation of non-animal substrates. It is not derived from pigs or other Haram sources. Therefore, the presence of amylase does not render the product non-Halal.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Mission white corn tortillas are a relatively clean carbohydrate source. A standard serving (two tortillas) contains approximately 110 calories, with only 1.5 grams of total fat. They are naturally cholesterol-free and contain very low sodium compared to many bread products.

Regarding sugar content, these tortillas have 0g of sugar. This makes them an excellent option for those monitoring their glycemic index or managing diabetes. The primary macronutrient is carbohydrates (22g per serving), providing a steady source of energy without the spikes associated with sugary snacks. While they are not a significant source of fiber (providing about 2g per serving), they are a healthier alternative to flour tortillas, which often contain higher fat and calorie counts due to the inclusion of lard or shortening.