What is haram?

Haram means prohibited under Islamic law. In food, it refers to ingredients or conditions that do not meet the applicable Islamic dietary requirements.

Food and ingredient labels

Pork and its derivatives, blood and alcoholic drinks are among the prohibited sources listed by Codex. A label can declare a prohibited source explicitly; a generic ingredient name may leave its origin or process unresolved.

How BOTIA classifies ingredients

The label declares clearly prohibited ingredients: pork derivatives, alcohol, or blood.

When the label does not establish the origin or process, BOTIA uses Mashbooh (doubt). Missing information is not proof that an ingredient is Halal or Haram.

What BOTIA can and cannot conclude

BOTIA CAN

  • Read declared ingredients from the label.
  • Detect clearly Haram ingredients based on documented criteria.
  • Detect ingredients with ambiguous origin and make the silence visible.

BOTIA CANNOT

  • Certify Halal — it is not a guarantee or seal of approval.
  • Detect undeclared processes like cross-contamination in factories.
  • Replace a religious authority or certification body.

Sources: Codex CAC/GL 24-1997 · OIC/SMIIC 1:2019