Frequently asked questions
Is Halal Scanner free?
Yes, completely. Scanning, label photos, search, product pages, history and favourites are free and unlimited, with no account and no ads.
How does the app decide that a product is halal, doubtful or haram?
A haram ingredient (pork, alcohol, blood…) always prevails. A product certified by a recognised body is halal. Uncertified ingredients of animal origin and additives of uncertain origin (E471, gelatin…) make it doubtful. With none of these, the product is halal. The rules are detailed in the app under “Our criteria”.
Is the app's verdict a halal certification?
No. Halal Scanner is an information aid. The data is public and collaborative and may contain errors. Only the logo of a recognised certifying body on the packaging is a guarantee.
Where does the product information come from?
From Open Food Facts, an open, collaborative database (ODbL licence) listing millions of products worldwide. You can complete an incomplete product page there, from the app.
What if a product cannot be found or has no ingredient list?
Take a photo of the ingredient list: the text is read on your phone and analysed at once. If Open Food Facts already has a photo of the ingredients, the app can read it for you.
Can I choose my level of strictness?
No: the app always applies the Strict level, so the verdict is the same for everyone. In Profile under “What I avoid”, each criterion is explained (insects, additives of uncertain origin, animal rennet, dealcoholised drinks, alcohol vinegar). Pork, alcohol and uncertified meat or gelatin are always flagged.
Is my data sent anywhere?
Your history, favourites and settings stay on your phone. Label photos are never sent. Only the scanned barcode and the text of a search go to Open Food Facts to get the product page. No account, no ads, no trackers.
Does the app work offline?
Products you have already seen and label photo analysis work offline. A new scan needs the network to fetch the product page.
Which languages are available?
The app is in English, French, Arabic, German and Spanish. It also analyses ingredient lists in Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Polish and Turkish.
Which phones is the app available on?
On Android (Android 7 and later), via Google Play. An iPhone version is not available yet.
Check a product in seconds
Scan the barcode with Halal Scanner: the app spots these ingredients for you and explains the verdict.
Get it on Google Play