plant
Is Cacao halal?
Seeds of the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao), used as powder, nibs or butter. Plant. No grade A or B certifier ruling on file for cacao as a class. Not a ruling.
What we know
The name is in the catalogue so you can find it. There is not enough evidence to classify.
What we don’t know
No external A or B source (certifier or scholarly page) is on file yet.
Why it matters
Not enough reliable source evidence to classify
What to verify
For Cacao in this product: is the source plant, synthetic, or animal? If animal, which species and slaughter method?
The detail
Opened the IFANCA Halal Shopper's Guide to Ingredients on 2026-10-21. The page states it is not a comprehensive list and does not name cacao, cacao powder, Theobroma cacao, or cocoa powder. That miss is not a ruling. Classification remains insufficient-evidence. Existing cocoa butter row is separate.
What the sources say
Seeds of the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao), used as powder, nibs or butter. Plant. No grade A or B certifier ruling on file for cacao as a class. Not a ruling.
Where you will run into it
- chocolate
- supplements
- smoothies
How to check it yourself
Ask the manufacturer for the source if the label is ambiguous; cacao is a plant seed.
Quick facts
| Name | Cacao |
|---|---|
| Also on labels as | cacao powder, raw cacao, cacao nibs, theobroma cacao, cocoa powder |
| Additive class | plant |
| Classification | Insufficient evidence |
| External A/B source | None yet |
Common questions
Is Cacao halal?
Cacao is classified as Insufficient evidence.
Is Cacao halal or haram?
On the evidence cited on this page, Cacao is insufficient evidence. Not enough reliable source evidence to classify Every position is attributed to a named certifier or scholarly body with a link, so you can verify it directly.
What else is Cacao called on ingredient labels?
It can appear as: cacao powder, raw cacao, cacao nibs, theobroma cacao, cocoa powder.
Where does this page's information come from?
Every position on this page is attributed to a named certifier or scholarly body with a direct link, listed under 'What the sources say'. Muttoo aggregates and cites; it does not issue rulings.
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