Are Rice Krispies Treats Halal?

The halal problem with packaged Rice Krispies Treats is the gelatin in the marshmallow part of the bar. Kellogg's answered this question in a customer letter about gelatin in its US products ^[1]. The letter says:

• Rice Krispies Treats bars: beef or pork gelatin may be used in all varieties, including the bars made with whole grain ^[1].
• US only: the information applies to products made for US shoppers ^[1].
• Labels rule: product details can change without notice, so the package is the final word ^[1].

A Kellogg's brand answer on a Target product page says the same thing: some bars use gelatin from either beef or pork, depending on what is available in the market ^[2]. The ingredient list just says "gelatin" with no animal named ^[2]. So even a single box could be made with pork gelatin, and you can't tell from the label.

Pork gelatin is not halal under any of the main schools of thought. Since Kellogg's says any variety of the bar may contain it ^[1], there is no way to be sure a given pack is pork-free.

Even when the gelatin comes from beef, it is usually not from zabiha slaughter. Scholars differ on whether gelatin from non-zabiha cattle becomes permissible through processing, a concept called istihalah (transformation). Some accept it and many do not. You can read the different views on our page is gelatin halal?.

The bars are also not halal certified, and Kellogg's makes no halal claim for them ^[1]. Because pork gelatin may be used, we list US Rice Krispies Treats bars as not halal.

The classic homemade recipe is just butter, marshmallows and crispy rice cereal. Whether yours is halal depends on the marshmallows. Most regular marshmallows contain gelatin, and some brands use pork gelatin. See are marshmallows halal? for which brands say what.

To make a version you can feel good about:

• Use halal-certified marshmallows or marshmallows made with beef gelatin from a halal-certified source.
• Or use vegan marshmallows, which are made without gelatin.
• Check the cereal label too. Plain crispy rice cereal is usually rice, sugar, salt and malt flavor, but vitamins and flavors can vary by brand and country.

Kellogg's letter is about the bars, not the plain cereal, so don't assume one tells you about the other ^[1].

Kellogg's makes clear that its gelatin letter covers US products only ^[1]. Outside the US, similar bars are sold under other names, such as Rice Krispies Squares in the UK. They are made in different factories and can have different recipes.

If you are buying abroad, read the ingredients on the pack. Look for the gelatin source, and look for a recognized halal certifier's logo. A halal logo from a certifier you trust is the clearest sign. Without one, treat the product as not confirmed.

Recipes change, so check the current label every time, even for a product you have bought before.