Tallow (Beef or Mutton Fat)

Rendered fat from cattle or sheep; halal only if from a halal-slaughtered animal, otherwise doubtful.

Why?

Tallow is rendered fat from beef or mutton, used in some fried foods (notably certain restaurant fries), pastry, and soap. Unlike lard, which comes from pigs and is haram outright, tallow's status depends on whether the source animal was halal-slaughtered — if the source is unstated, it is treated as doubtful.

Good to know

Ask specifically whether tallow used in fried food is beef, and if so, whether it's from zabihah-slaughtered cattle.

References

• General consensus of major halal certification bodies (e.g. IFANCA, JAKIM, HFA)

Last reviewed: 2026-08-30

This is informational guidance only, not a certified halal determination. Always consult an official halal certification body for certainty.