Names to look for on labels
- cuttlefish ink
- cephalopod ink
What to do
No action needed for this additive. Check the rest of the ingredient list, and remember that meat products still need proper halal slaughter.
More about squid ink
Squid ink, also called cuttlefish ink, is a black pigment used to colour and flavour pasta, risotto and sauces. It is common in Spanish and Italian cooking.
Most scholars accept squid, though the Hanafi school differs on non-fish seafood. The Hanafi setting marks it as doubtful.
Is squid ink vegetarian or vegan?
No. Squid ink comes from animals, so it is not vegetarian or vegan.
Why we classify it this way
Halal Squid ink comes from a mollusc. Scholars differ on seafood other than fish: the Hanafi school does not allow it, which is why the Hanafi setting marks it as doubtful.
Basis: No concern found. Made from plants, minerals, fermentation or synthesis, or from a permitted animal product. Nothing in normal production raises a pork, alcohol, insect or slaughter question.
In the Hanafi setting this is shown as Doubtful (Mushbooh).
No external reference is listed for this record yet.
Classification audited 3 November 2026. It has not been reviewed by a scholar. How classifications work · Suggest a correction
Frequently asked questions
Is squid ink halal?
Squid ink is halal. Squid ink comes from a mollusc. Scholars differ on seafood other than fish: the Hanafi school does not allow it, which is why the Hanafi setting marks it as doubtful.
Where does squid ink come from?
Squid or cuttlefish.
Is squid ink vegetarian or vegan?
No. Squid ink comes from animals, so it is not vegetarian or vegan.
Is squid ink halal for Hanafis?
In the Hanafi school only fish is clearly permitted from the sea, so many Hanafis treat these as doubtful or avoid them. Choose the Hanafi setting to see this in the checker.