Names to look for on labels
- glucose syrup
- glucose-fructose syrup
- dextrose
- maltodextrin
- invert sugar syrup
- golden syrup
- treacle
- molasses
- brown sugar
- cane sugar
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 sugars and syrups
Sugars and syrups include sucrose (table sugar), glucose syrup, fructose, invert sugar, maple syrup and honey. They are made from sugar cane, sugar beet, maize, wheat or tree sap.
Some sugar is decolourised during refining, and in some countries bone char is used for this step. That is a separate question and is covered under bone char.
Is sugars and syrups vegetarian or vegan?
Yes in almost all cases. Beet sugar and most UK cane sugar are vegan, but some cane sugar in the US is filtered with bone char, so strict vegans there look for certified vegan sugar.
Found in 380 UK products we checked
See all 380 products with sugars and syrups →
Why we classify it this way
Halal Sugars and syrups from cane, beet or starch are plant-derived and halal.
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.
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 sugars and syrups halal?
Sugars and syrups is halal. Sugars and syrups from cane, beet or starch are plant-derived and halal.
Where does sugars and syrups come from?
Sugar cane, sugar beet or starch.
Is sugars and syrups vegetarian or vegan?
Yes in almost all cases. Beet sugar and most UK cane sugar are vegan, but some cane sugar in the US is filtered with bone char, so strict vegans there look for certified vegan sugar.