Newer regulatory sources checked October 17, 2026
Use the Qatar Customs food-import guide and the 2025 Saudi Arabia FAIRS report for newer country-specific information. The 2005-2006 reports below are historical. Neither their age nor a general import rule establishes a current halal classification for glycerin from an unspecified source.
ARTICLE
GCC Food Import Regulations
The Gulf Cooperation Council
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), is a coalition of countries bordering the body of water known as the Arabian (or
Persian) Gulf. Member states includes Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
GCC member states are working towards harmonizing their food import standards. The food import regulations of GCC countries are based in large part on Islamic dietary law, formed in consult with the member countries' Ministries of Health and religious professionals.
Understanding food import laws of GCC countries is a valuable tool to Muslims living in the West. In fact, from time to time, IsItHaram.com consults the food import regulations of GCC country members. Because they are affluent, and import the majority of their food, GCC import regulations provide us with a good measuring stick against which to measure questionable foods such as glycerine and sugar alcohols that we encounter in America and other countries to determine whether these are permissible.
Related Topics:
U.S. Law concerning kosher and
halal
food products
Who is the Muslim Consumer?
What is the market size for
halal
products?
food import regulations
Qatar:
Historical 2005 document (not current guidance)