Have you ever been at a grocery store, swaying in front of the shelf full of dairy products, struggling to decide between cake frostings? We know that halal ingredients are paramount for many people.
So what about Cool Whip? Believe it or not – there are a lot of questions about whether or not this fluffy topping is certified as halal, making it an important shopping consideration for those who restrict their diets and eating habits according to Islamic law.
In this blog post we’ll explore some fascinating facts behind the processing of Cool Whip and provide all the information necessary to make sure you’re choosing quality, trustworthy ingredients when shopping for your favorite dessert toppings!
Kraft Cool Whip: An Overview
Imagine a world without whipped cream. A world where pies and desserts were left bland and naked, without their delectable creamy topping. Luckily, one food scientist had a vision and created a revolution that changed the dessert game forever. Enter William A. Mitchell, the culinary mastermind behind the creation of Cool Whip.
Back in 1966, Mitchell was on a mission to create a whipped topping that was not only delicious but also practical for distribution.
Cool Whip was launched by the Birds Eye division of General Foods (now part of Kraft Heinz), and within two years, it became the most profitable product in their entire lineup.
People simply couldn’t resist its smooth and creamy texture, and it was a game-changer because it could be distributed frozen, making it much more convenient than traditional whipped cream.
Fast forward to today, and Cool Whip remains the ultimate dessert topping of choice for dessert-lovers across the nation. The product is lovingly crafted in Avon, New York, and sold in convenient plastic tubs, perfect for storing in your freezer until you’re ready to indulge. Just remember to thaw it out in the fridge before serving.
So what’s in a serving of this creamy goodness? A mere nine grams of Cool Whip packs a punch of 25 kcal (105 kJ) of energy, including 1.5 grams or 15 kcal (63 kJ) from fat. And with its irresistible flavor and smooth texture, it’s no wonder that Cool Whip continues to be the whipped topping of choice for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Cool Whip Varieties
Varieties offered include
- Original
- Extra Creamy
- Light
- Fat-Free
- Sugar-Free
Seasonal flavors include
- French Vanilla
- Chocolate
- Sweet Cinnamon
- Strawberry
- Peppermint
- Cheesecake
Ingredients in Cool Whip and Their Halal Status
The ingredients in Kraft Cool Whip include
- Water
- Corn Syrup
- High fructose corn syrup
- Hydrogenated vegetable oil (coconut and palm kernel oils)
- Less than 2% Sodium Caseinate (from milk)
- Modified Food Starch
- Xanthan gum
- Guar gum
- Polysorbate 60
- Sorbitan monostearate
- Sodium polyphosphate
- Natural and artificial flavor
- Beta carotene (Colour)
- Skim Milk
- Less than 2% Light Cream
| Ingredient | Status |
| Corn Syrup A sweetener made from corn starch. It is a common ingredient in processed foods and is used as a sweetener and to enhance the texture of foods. | Halal (Source) |
| High fructose corn syrup A type of sweetener. It is made by converting corn starch into glucose, and then converting some of that glucose into fructose. | Halal (Source) |
| Hydrogenated vegetable oil (coconut and palm kernel oils) A type of processed fat that is created by adding hydrogen to liquid vegetable oil, such as coconut or palm kernel oil. | Halal (Source) |
| Less than 2% Sodium Caseinate (from milk) A food additive that is derived from milk protein. It is made by treating casein, the main protein in milk, with an alkaline solution to produce a water-soluble form of the protein. | Halal (Source) |
| Modified Food Starch A common food ingredient that is derived from various sources such as corn, potato, or wheat. It is created by treating the starch with chemicals or enzymes to change its properties, such as its texture, stability, or ability to thicken or bind ingredients together. | Halal (Source) |
| Xanthan gum A type of carbohydrate that is commonly used as a food additive. It is produced by the fermentation of sugar with the Xanthomonas campestris bacterium, which creates a viscous, gel-like substance that can be dried and ground into a fine powder. | Halal (Source) |
| Guar gum A food additive that is commonly used as a thickener and stabilizer. It is derived from the seeds of the guar plant, which is native to India and Pakistan. | Halal (Source) |
| Polysorbate 60 A type of food additive that is commonly used as an emulsifier. It is made by combining sorbitol, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid, and it is often used in conjunction with other emulsifiers, such as sorbitan monostearate, to create a stable, smooth texture in processed foods. | Musbooh or doubtful (Source) – Polysorbate 60 aka E435 is halal if it is 100% from plant fat, but haram if it is from pork fat. |
| Sorbitan monostearate A food additive that helps to maintain the texture and consistency. It is derived from sorbitol, a type of sugar alcohol, and stearic acid, a saturated fatty acid found in many animal and vegetable fats. | Musbooh or doubtful (Source) – Sorbitan monostearate aka E491 is halal if it is 100% from plant fat, but haram if it is from pork fat. |
| Sodium polyphosphate A chemical compound made up of multiple sodium and phosphate molecules. It is commonly used as a food additive to improve the texture, moisture retention, and shelf life. | Halal (Source) |
| Natural flavour Flavoring substances derived from natural sources such as plants or animals, which give foods and beverages their characteristic taste and aroma. | Halal if sourced from plants (Source) |
| Artificial flavour Chemically synthesized compounds that are designed to mimic the taste and aroma of natural flavors found in foods. They are made by combining various chemicals in a laboratory to create a specific flavor. | Halal if sourced from plants (Source) |
| Beta carotene (Colour) Added as a food coloring to give food items a more vibrant and appealing appearance. This coloring is usually derived from natural sources, such as carrots or sweet potatoes, which are rich in beta carotene. | Halal (Source) |
| Skim Milk Skim milk, also known as fat-free or non-fat milk, is a type of milk that has had most or all of its fat content removed. | Halal |
| Less than 2% Light Cream Light cream is a type of dairy product that contains a lower percentage of milk fat than heavy cream or whipping cream. | Halal |
Is Cool Whip Halal – Final Thoughts
The ingredient list of Cool Whip includes Polysorbate 60 and Sorbitan monostearate, which fall under the category of Musbooh or doubtful ingredients. They are considered halal only if derived from 100% plant-based sources, but are deemed haram if sourced from pork fat.
Similarly, both natural and artificial flavors used in food products are considered halal only if they come from plant sources. This means that the flavorings used in Cool Whip must be derived from plants in order for it to be considered halal.
It’s important to note that the source of these ingredients is not specified on the label of Cool Whip and there is no information on the website either.
It is also worth noting that Kraft, the manufacturer of Cool Whip, has not obtained halal certification for this particular product. This may make it difficult for Muslims to trust the ingredients of Cool Whip.
As a result, Muslims who follow strict dietary guidelines may choose to avoid consuming Cool Whip or any other uncertified food product.
