Are you a pizza lover who follows a halal diet? If so, you might be wondering whether Domino’s Pizza is halal. With over 17,000 locations worldwide, Domino’s is one of the most popular fast-food chains in the world. However, not all of its branches are halal-certified, and some of its toppings are not permissible for Muslims. In this article, we’ll explore the question “Is Domino’s halal?” and provide you with a comprehensive guide to help you make an informed decision. We’ll look at the ingredients used in Domino’s pizzas, the halal certification of its branches, and the risk of cross-contamination. So, whether you’re a Muslim or just curious about halal food, keep reading to find out more!

 

What Makes Food Halal or Haram According to Islamic Law

According to Islamic law, for food to be certified halal it must meet specific criteria. The Arabic word halal means permissible or lawful. Halal regulations serve as a guideline for Muslims to ensure they consume foods allowed under their faith.

Islam has clear rulings on which foods and drinks are halal and which are haram (forbidden). Here are the key requirements for halal food:

  • Permitted ingredients – Animals considered halal for consumption include cows, sheep, goats, chicken, duck, deer, most fish, locusts and various others. However, pigs, dogs, monkeys, elephants, predators like lions and bears, and reptiles are haram. All parts and by-products of haram animals are also prohibited.
  • Proper slaughter – For meat to be halal, the permitted animal must be slaughtered by a Muslim reciting the name of Allah and using a sharp knife to cut the throat, windpipe and blood vessels quickly. This method minimizes suffering. Meat not slaughtered in the prescribed Islamic manner is haram.
  • Blood removal – Blood must be drained fully from the carcass, as consumption of blood is forbidden in Islam.
  • Humane treatment – Animals must not be abused, tortured or subjected to cruelty before slaughter.
  • No contamination – Halal foods and kitchen utensils must not come into contact with haram substances or alcohol. Food ingredients themselves must also not contain haram elements.
  • No questionable ingredients – Any foods or ingredients with questionable status on whether they are halal or haram should be avoided.
  • Halal certification – Food products, restaurants and manufacturing facilities should have halal clearance from a certification body or Islamic authority. This ensures proper halal procedures are followed.

In contrast, here are some examples of foods considered haram that Muslims must abstain from:

  • Pork, pork by-products and pork derivatives like gelatin
  • Alcoholic drinks and intoxicants
  • Non-halal animal fat or meat not slaughtered Islamically
  • Carnivorous animals like bears, wolves, lions
  • Predatory and scavenger birds like eagles, vultures
  • Reptiles, snakes and amphibians
  • Blood and blood byproducts
  • Foods contaminated through contact with any of the above

Consuming haram foods or beverages is a major sin in Islam. Muslims must avoid not just direct consumption, but also indirect intake through cross-contamination or questionable ingredients.

 

Key Halal Factors to Consider for Domino’s Pizza

There are several aspects of Domino’s pizza that require closer evaluation to determine if it adheres to Islamic halal standards.

Meat Toppings

Domino’s offers beef and chicken as pizza toppings. Pork is clearly not an option. However, for the beef and chicken to be halal they must meet certain criteria:

  • The animals must be among the permitted halal species (cow and chicken). Pork is never mixed with halal meats.
  • They must be slaughtered by a Muslim reciting Allah’s name and following zabihah ritual cut standards.
  • All blood must be fully drained from the carcass.
  • They cannot be contaminated during processing, storage or preparation through contact with alcohol or pork ingredients.

Domino’s states their chicken is stunned before slaughter to minimize suffering. Some of their chicken is sourced from suppliers in Thailand whose product is certified halal by their religious authorities.

However, standard American stores may not have an Islamic halal slaughtering process. And there are risks of cross-contamination with non-halal ingredients during processing and prep.

Cheese and Other Toppings

For cheese or other toppings to be halal, they must meet the following conditions:

  • The enzymes and cultures used to make cheese like Domino’s mozzarella must come from halal approved sources. Animal enzymes are common and they must be from halal animals.
  • Other toppings like vegetables, oils and sauces cannot contain or be cooked in alcohol.
  • Toppings must be prepared in facilities with proper protocols to avoid cross-contamination with haram substances.
  • Meats like pepperoni and sausage are often made with pork, so they would always be haram. Even if made with beef, the slaughter method may not follow halal standards.

Crust and Dough

For the pizza dough and crust to be considered halal, the flour, oils, and other ingredients used must comply with the following:

  • Wheat and grain sources must not contain any contaminants or alcohol products.
  • Oils used cannot be derivatives of pigs or other haram animals. Typical vegetable oils are generally halal if not cross-contaminated.
  • Other ingredients and additives must be free of haram animal sources and alcohol.
  • Dough preparation equipment must avoid cross-contamination with non-halal ingredients.

Food Preparation and Handling

Even if all the individual ingredients in a Domino’s pizza are halal, cross-contamination during food handling and prep can contaminate the final product:

  • There should be clear separation between halal and non-halal meats in storage, prep and serving areas to prevent mixing through contact with surfaces or utensils.
  • Ovens used to bake pork pizzas must be properly cleaned before cooking halal pizzas.
  • Halal pizzas must not be removed from ovens using surfaces or utensils dirtied with pork residue.
  • Individual stores should have protocols in place for halal food handling if they offer halal menu options. But standard procedures may be inadequate.
  • Staff preparing halal pizzas must wash hands and change gloves after handling any haram ingredients.

Without diligent precautionary measures, cross-contamination risks make it difficult to guarantee 100% halal status.

Domino’s Official Policy on Halal Compliance

On their website, Domino’s directly addresses the question “Is your food halal?” Here are some key points from their policy:

  • Domino’s UK website states none of their stores or meat are officially certified halal. They cannot guarantee no cross-contamination with non-halal meats.
  • Some specific menu items like the Spicy Veggie pizza are labelled as halal friendly options. These limit risk by excluding meat.
  • Availability of halal options varies greatly by franchise location. Domino’s stores in Muslim majority countries like Malaysia, Pakistan and the UAE have fully halal menus certified by local religious authorities. But other international branches may not offer halal.
  • Customers should check with their local store about halal practices, ingredients and options. Policies are not standardized across franchises.
  • Stores that do offer halal food may have separate storage, prep and serving areas. But shared facilities increase cross-contamination risks.
  • UK and EU websites note there is a risk of cross-contamination as both halal and non-halal pizzas are made in the same kitchens. They cannot guarantee 100% halal status.

Are Specific Menu Items at Domino’s Halal?

While Domino’s does not have an overall halal certification, some individual menu items may be considered halal-friendly depending on local store policies. These options can minimize contamination risk:

Vegetarian Pizzas

Domino’s vegetarian pizzas without any meat toppings are a good halal-friendly choice. Options like the Veggie Supreme or Mediterranean Veggie exclude bacon and sausage.

However, they may still be prepared in shared facilities. Requesting thorough cleaning of equipment can reduce cross-contamination chances.

Chicken and Veggie Pizzas

The Chicken & Veggie pizza with grilled halal chicken and fresh vegetable toppings is a possible halal option. But confirm the chicken is from a halal certified provider and request separate preparation.

Beef Pizzas

Pizzas with ground beef like the Philly Cheese Steak can potentially be halal if the proper beef sourcing and handling protocols are followed. But this is difficult to guarantee.

Seafood Pizzas

Seafood pizzas with shrimp and other aquatic animals are generally acceptable, provided there is no alcohol or questionable ingredients.

Custom Orders

Custom pizzas with approved meats, veggies and no pork products can be halal if kept completely separate during prep. But risks remain without certification.

Conclusion

Given the information from Domino’s policies and analysis of halal food laws, here is the final verdict on whether standard Domino’s Pizza is halal:

Domino’s pizza is not 100% certified halal according to global Islamic standards. However, those wanting to enjoy Domino’s can order certain menu items that limit the risk of haram contamination.

Individual franchise locations, especially in Muslim majority countries, may be completely halal if they have proper certifications from their local religious authorities. But regular Domino’s restaurants do not guarantee overall halal status.

Muslims wishing to eat Domino’s Pizza should use discretion. Verify the halal practices and policies of their local store. Opt for vegetarian or seafood pizzas to avoid non-halal meat. Request thorough cleaning of equipment and surfaces between orders. And consider custom pizzas with ingredients of their choice.

While not fully halal, Domino’s does offer menu choices suitable for the halal diet. Those wanting to enjoy the unique Domino’s taste without compromising their religious beliefs can order carefully. Domino’s Pizza can still be appreciated occasionally by Muslims seeking halal-friendly options.

Is Dominos Pizza Halal – Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Domino’s pizza offers halal options. They have a halal menu available that has been certified to meet the halal standards.

Are the chicken wings at Domino’s halal?

Yes, the chicken wings at Domino’s are halal. They are sourced from halal-certified suppliers.

What about the pepperoni topping?

The pepperoni topping at Domino’s is made from halal certified meat. It is safe for consumption according to halal standards.

Does Domino’s have any halal food options?

Yes, Domino’s offers a variety of halal food options. They have a dedicated halal menu that includes pizzas, chicken wings, and other side dishes.

Is cross-contamination a concern at Domino’s?

Domino’s takes precautions to prevent cross-contamination. They have separate utensils and preparation areas for halal and non-halal ingredients to ensure the integrity of their halal offerings.

Is Domino’s halal certification reliable?

Yes, Domino’s halal certification is reliable. They undergo regular audits and inspections to ensure they meet the requirements set by the certifying authorities.

Why did Domino’s no longer have any halal stores?

Domino’s may have made the decision to no longer have any halal stores based on various factors, such as market demand, operational considerations, or changes in their business strategy.

Is Dominos Pizza Halal In India?

In India, Domino’s Pizza is not halal-certified, and most of its branches are not halal-compliant. Only Domino’s Pizza branches in Muslim countries are guaranteed to provide 100% halal pizza. Therefore, it is not safe for Muslims to eat Domino’s Pizza in India, as cross-contamination might occur between halal and non-halal pizza ingredients during the cooking process.

Is Domino’s pizza in Thailand halal?

Domino’s pizza in Thailand is not considered halal. They do not have halal certification for their products in this country.

Is Domino’s pizza halal in Muslim countries?

Domino’s pizza is halal in Muslim countries where they have obtained halal certification for their products and follow the guidelines set by the religious authorities in those countries.

Can Domino’s guarantee that all their options are halal?

Domino’s strives to provide halal options to the best of their abilities, but they cannot guarantee that all their options are halal. Customers should refer to the halal menu for confirmed halal choices.