Vanilla flavor and vanilla flavoring

In the US, 'vanilla flavor' (also sold as 'vanilla flavoring') is made the same way as vanilla extract, but with less than 35% alcohol. The TTB, which regulates it, calls it 'vanilla flavor'. It usually still contains alcohol, and the label doesn't say how much, or whether any. It is Doubtful · high until a halal certifier or the maker confirms. Vegan or kosher certification doesn't clear this, because it says nothing about alcohol.

Food	Cosmetics & personal care	Medicine
Doubtful · high	Doubtful · high	Doubtful · high

Concern

Alcohol

Intoxicants, alcohol added to food, alcohol that forms in fermented foods such as soy sauce, alcohol carriers, and alcohol that may have changed into another substance.

What clears it

A halal certificate from a certifier that meets our standard
A written reply from the brand, reviewed by Zulal (valid 12 months)

What our sources say

Darulfatwa – Islamic High Council of Australia · Purification from the Najas-Filth

Among what is considered najas-filthy are urine, feces, blood, puss, vomit, alcohol, and the maytah , including its bones and hair.

Source page · archived copy · retrieved Sep 22, 2026

Certification Center "Halal" · Центр сертифікації «Халяль» (home page)

Сировина, що містить спирт (alcohol, ethanol, fermentation alcohol, grain alcohol, hooch, alcohol denat), або наркотичні та п'янкі речовини;

halal.ua's own English “Raw materials containing alcohol (alcohol, ethanol, fermentation alcohol, grain alcohol, hooch, alcohol denat), or narcotic and intoxicating substances;”

Source page · archived copy · retrieved Sep 22, 2026

Darulfatwa – Islamic High Council of Australia · Drinks…

The important thing is that no Najas (filth) ingredient such as alcohol is used in the production of these soft drinks.

Source page · archived copy · retrieved Sep 22, 2026

Certification Center "Halal" · Алкоголь – «корень» зла и нечисти

То, что опьяняет в большом и в малом количестве является харамом

Translation “That which intoxicates in large and in small quantity is haram”

Article on the 2016-2017 site; no longer online. · Source page · archived copy · retrieved Sep 22, 2026

Darulfatwa – Islamic High Council of Australia · تحريم الخمر

وأمّا القَولُ بنجاسَةِ الخمر فهو مذهب أكثر الأئمة منهم الأربعة مالك والشافعي وأحمد وأبو حنيفة فإذا أصابت ثوبًا أو بدنًا يجبُ تطهيره عند القيام للصلاة،

Translation “As for the position that khamr is najis, it is the view of most of the Imams, among them the four: Malik, al-Shafi'i, Ahmad and Abu Hanifah. So if it gets on a garment or on the body, it must be purified when standing for prayer,”

Source page · archived copy · retrieved Sep 22, 2026

Certification Center "Halal" · Алкоголь – «корень» зла и нечисти

Водка, ром, виски, коньяк, вино, ликер, шампанское, пиво, также наркотические вещества, как гашиш, опиум, героин, морфий, кокаин и другие – это нечисть шайтана.

Translation “Vodka, rum, whisky, cognac, wine, liqueur, champagne, beer, and also narcotic substances such as hashish, opium, heroin, morphine, cocaine and others are the filth of Satan.”

Article on the 2016-2017 site; no longer online. · Source page · archived copy · retrieved Sep 22, 2026

All sources →

Other sources: www.ttb.gov/scientific-services-division/dbmenu8sub2 · www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-169/subpart-B/section-169.177

Zulal Standard v0 (beta) · pending scholar review · Report a mistake