Names to look for on labels
- vegetable fat
- vegetable fats
- palm fat
- shea fat
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 vegetable shortening
Vegetable shortening is a solid fat made from plant oils such as palm, soya or rapeseed. The oils are hardened by hydrogenation or by blending with fully saturated fats.
It is used in pastry, biscuits, cakes and frying, and is the plant-based alternative to lard and butter.
Is vegetable shortening vegetarian or vegan?
Yes. Vegetable shortening is normally made from plant, mineral, microbial or synthetic sources, so it is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
Found in 70 UK products we checked
See all 70 products with vegetable shortening →
Why we classify it this way
Halal Plant-based fat.
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 vegetable shortening halal?
Vegetable shortening is halal. Plant-based fat.
Where does vegetable shortening come from?
Plant oils.
Is vegetable shortening vegetarian or vegan?
Yes. Vegetable shortening is normally made from plant, mineral, microbial or synthetic sources, so it is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.