Is kosher halal? It’s a common question among Muslims, especially given the close similarities between halal and kosher dietary laws. While both define what is permissible to eat in Islamic and Jewish traditions, the rules behind halal-certified and kosher-certified food differ in key ways.
In this guide, we’ll break down the major differences between kosher and halal food, so you can better understand what aligns with Islamic dietary guidelines.
Check out: Qualify Your Products for Halal Here
Is Kosher Halal?
No, kosher is not automatically halal. While both kosher and halal dietary laws share similarities, they are governed by different religious requirements and are not entirely interchangeable.
One key difference is the method of slaughter. Halal slaughter, known as Zabihah, requires the recitation of Allah’s name during the process, a requirement that kosher slaughter does not have.
While kosher laws on the other hand prohibit the mixing of meat and dairy, halal guidelines do not have such a restriction. These differences mean that not all kosher food can be considered halal.
Read More: The (Detailed) Halal Certification Process
Roots of Halal and Kosher
Kosher food stems from Jewish culture and faith traditions, and its qualifications are based on scriptures from the Torah. Similarly, halal food is rooted in Islam and the message of the Quran.
Both traditions have led to the emergence of restaurants and food manufacturers catering to people who follow kosher or halal principles. There are many U.S. restaurants that have halal-certified menu items, and AHF alone has certified over 10 million individual foodservice items worldwide. Similarly, there are several kosher-certifying organizations with long lists of kosher restaurants and certified products.
Islam dictates that Muslims must only consume halal food, though consumers are beginning to recognize that the halal lifestyle has broad health benefits as well. But outside of official certifications, many restaurants do not offer halal options or do not know if any of their items are halal.
While there are several overlaps, not all kosher food is halal, and not all halal products can be considered kosher.
The Difference Between Halal and Kosher Food
There are 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide, and ~5 million who live in the U.S. All Muslims are required to adhere to halal practices and should know what options they have in grocery stores and restaurants. Jewish adherents are also required to follow kosher rules for food preparation. However, according to Pew Research Center, only an estimated 17% of Jews in the U.S. keep kosher.
The major different between halal and kosher food is that halal is defined based on the raw materials of the food, how food products were prepared, and how animals were harvested, while kosher focuses on the types of animals that can be consumed, specific slaughter methods, and the prohibition of mixing meat and dairy.
In Arabic, halal means “lawful or permitted” and defines life practices as well as permissible food and drink. Halal isn’t narrowly defined and encompasses many staples included in modern diets as almost all products are permissible if prepared correctly.
Kosher food is far more narrow in definition and is broken into three categories: dairy, meat, and pareve (non-animal products — fruit, vegetables, etc.) Disease-free, cloven-hoofed animals that chew their cud are the only animals safe to eat in kosher practices.
Halal versus Haram
Food not permissible by halal is considered “haram” (forbidden). Haram includes food, drink, and drugs which adversely impact the human body and impair the senses.For example, alcohol and food prepared with alcohol is considered haram. Haram food also includes meat from carnivorous animals.
Haram products also include anything cross-contaminated in preparation. For example, halal meat touched by cooking utensils and tools that were also used with haram food are then considered haram. Halal products can include seafood, breads, coffee, and dairy products among many other types of food and drink. Any fruits and vegetables without additives are considered halal.
Kosher versus Non-kosher
Kosher means fit for consumption under Jewish dietary law. Kosher dietary practices are layered and comprehensive. Jewish kosher law states that meals can’t combine dairy and meat products, domesticated fowl can be considered kosher, and seafood, sans shellfish, at times can be permissible.
Kosher foods also adhere to a strict policy of zero cross-contamination in preparation. Thus, kosher foods can become non-kosher based on their source and any cross-contamination. For example, if a finned, scaled fish is prepared in the same pan as shrimp, the fish will no longer be kosher. Pre-packaged kosher foods have a label denoting their status and adhere to kosher regulations.
Similarly to halal regulations, kosher food excludes pork. Other non-kosher meat includes hindquarter cuts of beef (for example, sirloin, flank, and shank steak), some game (rabbit), and shellfish (crab, lobster, and oysters).
Foods That Are Both Kosher and Halal
While kosher and halal dietary laws have important differences, there’s also quite a bit of overlap, especially when it comes to naturally clean, plant-based, and unprocessed foods.
Here are some common foods that are both kosher and halal:
1. Fruits and Vegetables
All fresh fruits and vegetables are halal and kosher—as long as they’re free from bugs or insects, which are not allowed in either tradition.
2. Grains and Legumes
Rice, wheat, oats, barley, lentils, beans, and chickpeas are naturally halal and kosher—unless cross-contaminated with non-permissible ingredients during processing.
3. Pure Juices and Water
Unflavored drinks like 100% fruit juice and bottled water are typically fine under both dietary laws.
4. Certain Dairy Products
Milk, cheese, and yogurt can be halal and kosher, but here’s the catch:
- For halal, they must not contain animal enzymes or gelatin unless certified.
- For kosher, they must be certified as kosher dairy and not mixed with meat.
5. Seafood (in some cases)
Most seafood is halal, and many types (like salmon, tuna, and cod) are kosher too. However, shellfish is kosher-prohibited and opinions on shellfish in halal vary, depending on the Islamic school of thought.
How to Tell if a Product Is Truly Halal (Not Just Kosher)
Just because something is kosher doesn’t mean it’s halal. If you’re a Muslim trying to follow halal guidelines, here’s how to make sure what you’re buying is actually halal, not just “close enough.”
1. Look for a Halal Certification Symbol
This is the easiest and safest way. A proper halal-certified product will have a logo from a trusted halal authority, like AHF (American Halal Foundation). If there’s no halal mark, it hasn’t been verified.
2. Don’t Rely on Kosher Symbols Alone
Kosher-certified products often have labels like “OU,” “K,” or “KOF-K.” While these symbols mean the product follows Jewish dietary laws, they do not guarantee the product meets Islamic requirements.
3. Check the Ingredients List
Even if a product is kosher, watch out for:
- Gelatin (may be from non-halal sources)
- Enzymes (can be animal-derived)
- Alcohol (used in flavorings or extracts)
- Meat or broth (check if it’s halal-slaughtered)
If anything looks questionable, skip it or contact the manufacturer.
4. Watch Out for Cross-Contamination
Halal products can become haram if they’ve been processed or cooked with non-halal items. Kosher rules are strict too, but they don’t follow the same cleanliness and purity standards required in halal certification.
5. When in Doubt, Ask
Contact the brand directly and ask if their product is halal-certified. Many will respond quickly, and it shows them that halal matters to their customers.
Can Muslims Eat Kosher Products?
Kosher-certified products often seem easier to find than halal-certified ones, but you cannot assume kosher meat or products will be halal (or dhabiha).
While there are certainly many similarities between halal and kosher products, there are many fundamental differences. For a more detailed analysis on the differences, you can read this article: The Differences and Similarities in Halal & Kosher Certifications
It is the view of the American Halal Foundation that Muslims should not casually assume that kosher meat and products are halal.
Kosher and halal are both mindful ways to intentionally consume food, but the two practices are not interchangeable and differ considerably in regulations. Muslims cannot consume kosher food that doesn’t meet halal standards. It’s important to look for halal certification on pre-packaged food, as less than 10% of shelved U.S. products are halal certified.
When shopping or dining out, remember to look for the halal certification symbol!
FAQ
What does “Is kosher halal” mean in simple terms?
It means: can Muslims eat kosher food as if it’s halal? While they may overlap in some areas, kosher is not automatically halal unless it meets Islamic requirements.
Can Muslims eat kosher meat if halal is not available?
Some scholars permit it under specific conditions, especially from the People of the Book. However, the safest approach is to look for halal-certified meat.
Is kosher gelatin halal?
Most kosher gelatin is derived from beef or pork. Unless it’s confirmed halal-certified and from a halal slaughtered source, it is not considered halal.
Is kosher wine halal?
No. Alcohol is strictly haram in Islam, and kosher certification allows for the production and sale of wine, which is forbidden in halal guidelines.
Are kosher restaurants halal-friendly?
Not always. While they avoid pork, they may serve non-Zabiha meat, use alcohol in recipes, or cross-contaminate with non-halal utensils.
Why do some Muslims eat kosher?
In areas where halal food is limited, some Muslims eat kosher based on interpretations of Quranic verses about food from the People of the Book. However, this view isn’t universally accepted.
Does kosher certification include prayer?
No. Unlike halal slaughter, kosher does not require the name of God (Allah) to be mentioned at the time of slaughter, which is a key requirement in halal practices.
Is kosher more strict than halal?
They’re strict in different ways. Kosher has more emphasis on animal types and dairy-meat separation, while halal emphasizes purity, cleanliness, and the method of slaughter.
Backed by more than 60+ years of combined experience in global halal standards and practices, the Halal Foundation Editorial Team is dedicated to delivering insightful, accurate, and practical content that empowers businesses and consumers to navigate the halal landscape.
