Is Jack Link’s Beef Jerky Halal? Everything You Need to Know

Jack Link’s beef jerky is one of the most popular meat snacks around. With its delicious flavors and convenience it has become a go-to for people looking for a tasty, protein-packed snack.

But as a halal-conscious consumer, you may be wondering – is Jack Link’s beef jerky actually halal?

I dug into this question to find out everything you need to know about the halal status of Jack Link’s jerky products. Keep reading to get the full scoop!

A Quick Intro to Halal Foods

First, a quick refresher on what makes a food product halal.

Halal is an Arabic term meaning “permissible” or “lawful”. When it comes to food, for meat to be considered halal, it must meet certain requirements according to Islamic dietary laws

• The animal must be slaughtered in a specific Zabiha method. This involves making a swift, deep incision with a sharp knife to cut the windpipe, food pipe and two jugular veins to drain out all the blood.

• Certain animals like pigs and carnivorous animals are prohibited. Halal meat can only come from herbivorous animals.

• The animal must be blessed and slaughtered by a Muslim who says a prayer to Allah.

• No meat from already dead animals is allowed.

• Alcohol and other intoxicating substances are prohibited.

Adhering to these guidelines is very important for Muslims and certain other faith groups. Consuming halal meat is part of living their religion fully.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s look specifically at Jack Link’s.

Are Jack Link’s Beef Jerky Products Halal-Certified?

After scouring the internet and contacting the company directly, here is what I found:

The majority of Jack Link’s beef jerky products are not halal certified. The company stated that due to changes in their production methods, they can no longer guarantee halal certification on their jerky.

Previously, their beef jerky sold in Australia and New Zealand markets was fully halal processed and certified. But this is no longer the case for newly produced batches.

Any remaining older product with halal certification will be phased out as stock sells through. All halal labels are being removed from packaging as well.

What About the Ingredients?

Just because a product doesn’t have an official halal certification doesn’t mean it’s automatically off-limits, however. We have to look at the ingredients and manufacturing process closely.

According to Jack Link’s, their beef jerky does meet general halal standards:

• It is made from 100% beef and contains no pork products.

• No alcohol or other intoxicating substances are used.

• The beef itself does not come from forbidden animals in Islam.

However, the specific Zabiha slaughter method is not confirmed. There are also no details available on whether a Muslim performs the blessing.

Finding Halal-Certified Options

While Jack Link’s is moving away from halal certification, some of their flavors may still display a halal label as old stock sells through. So it’s worth checking carefully.

Some confirmed halal flavors were:

• Original
• Teriyaki
• Peppered

If you don’t see a halal indication, I recommend contacting the company to ask about a specific product’s status. They may have additional insider info.

Beyond Jack Link’s, other jerky brands like Saffron Road sell certified halal varieties. Many smaller Muslim-owned businesses offer halal meat snacks too.

And of course, you can make your own jerky at home! This gives you control over the entire process and ingredients.

What About Other Jack Link’s Products?

While their jerky is not certified halal, a few other Jack Link’s products are marked halal:

• Beef Steak Bars in Teriyaki and Cracked Pepper flavors

• Pork and Beef Snack Sticks in Original and Hot ‘N Spicy varieties

As always, inspect the packaging to confirm the halal certification seal is present. Flavors and formulations can change.

Can You Eat Jack Link’s Beef Jerky During Ramadan?

Ramadan is a special time with unique dietary considerations. The question often comes up – can I eat Jack Link’s beef jerky while fasting for Ramadan?

The answer is not totally clear cut. Most Islamic scholars say you should avoid any questionable products while fasting just to be safe.

Since Jack Link’s jerky likely doesn’t meet the ritual slaughter requirements, it would be best to abstain from it during Ramadan fasting periods.

Of course, this is ultimately a personal decision. I recommend speaking to your local imam for specific spiritual guidance.

Other Important Dietary Considerations

Aside from the halal aspect, Jack Link’s jerky contains no major allergens or ingredients that would be prohibited on other diets.

Here are some key points:

• Gluten free – All Jack Link’s beef jerky is certified gluten free, making it a go-to for anyone avoiding gluten.

• Keto friendly – With 0g net carbs and 10g protein per serving, jerky fits great into a keto diet.

• Paleo approved – Jerky is a naturally Paleo food, fitting right into the lifestyle.

• Low fat and calories – Classic jerky is air-dried and contains just 3-4g fat and ~70 calories per serving.

So if you don’t require halal certification, Jack Link’s products make for a tasty, diet-friendly snack overall!

Final Thoughts

Jack Link’s built its brand around convenience and flavor. While they offer some halal-certified products, most of their jerky line no longer carries halal status.

This means enjoying their meaty, smoky snacks may not meet religious slaughter requirements for some Muslim consumers.

My recommendation is to check each product closely for halal markings if this is important to you. And when in doubt, connect with the company or your local spiritual leader for guidance.

While certification provides assurance, you can still find plenty of ways to enjoy quality halal meat snacks – whether homemade, from a specialty producer, or Jack Link’s confirmed halal variations.