As a Muslim consumer, dining out can often feel like navigating a minefield. Between scouring ingredient lists for hidden pork products and questioning staff about how the food is prepared, it‘s enough to make you want to stick to home cooking. But in our fast-paced, on-the-go world, the convenience of quick-service restaurants is hard to beat. So how do popular chains like Subway measure up when it comes to offering halal options?
The Growing Demand for Halal Food
First, let‘s establish why this question matters. Islam is the world‘s second-largest religion, with 1.9 billion followers as of 2020—that‘s 24.9% of the global population.[^1] By 2050, the Muslim population is projected to reach 2.76 billion, or nearly one-third of all people.[^2]
This growth, coupled with rising disposable incomes in many Muslim-majority nations, has fueled demand for halal products. The State of the Global Islamic Economy Report 2020/21 estimates that Muslims spent $1.17 trillion on food and beverages in 2019, and forecasts that figure to reach $1.38 trillion by 2024.[^3]
In the United States, where Muslims make up about 1.1% of the population, the halal food market was valued at $22.6 billion in 2018 and is projected to reach $31.2 billion by 2026.[^4] As the Muslim population in the West continues to grow and flex its purchasing power, mainstream businesses are taking notice.
Subway‘s Halal Status: It‘s Complicated
So back to the question at hand: is Subway halal? The short answer is, it depends on where you are. In the United States, the vast majority of Subway restaurants are not halal-certified. The chain‘s website states:
"Subway does not require our food manufacturers to make certified halal foods. Thus, we don‘t have any halal-certified restaurants in the US, nor do we have any plans to open any at this time."^5
However, in countries with larger Muslim populations, such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Malaysia, and Singapore, select Subway locations do offer fully halal menus with certified meats. These restaurants display prominent halal signage and keep halal and non-halal products rigorously separated.
Subway‘s approach reflects the patchwork nature of the global halal food landscape. Countries like Indonesia and Malaysia have national halal certification bodies that regulate compliance. But in most Western nations, halal certification is handled by independent third-party agencies, each with slightly different standards.[^6] This lack of unified guidelines can create confusion for consumers and complications for food companies.
The Certification Conundrum
For a quick-service chain like Subway, going halal is not as simple as swapping out suppliers. Halal certification involves a rigorous audit of the entire supply chain, from farm to restaurant, to ensure all ingredients and preparation methods meet Islamic dietary laws.[^7] This includes things like verifying animal slaughter practices, screening for non-halal additives, and implementing protocols to prevent cross-contamination.
Some major fast-food players have risen to the challenge. McDonald‘s has over 50 halal-certified restaurants in Singapore.[^8] KFC has numerous halal locations in the UK, with strict procedures to keep halal and non-halal food separate.[^9] But for other chains, the costs and logistical hurdles of halal compliance may outweigh the perceived benefits, especially in markets where Muslims are a small minority.
As Shahed Amanullah, founder of the halal restaurant rating app Zabihah, points out:
"It‘s a very complex process that a lot of companies aren‘t equipped to handle. They have to essentially set up a separate supply chain, and that‘s not always feasible."[^10]
So what‘s a hungry Muslim to do at a typical US Subway? It‘s all about knowing your options and asking the right questions.
Stick to Vegetarian or Seafood
The safest bet is to steer clear of the meat-based fillings, since none are halal-certified. Instead, opt for a Veggie Delite packed with your choice of fresh vegetables, or try the tuna salad—as long as it‘s 100% tuna with no added ingredients.[^11] All of Subway‘s sliced cheese varieties (American, Monterey cheddar, provolone, Swiss, and pepperjack) are made with microbial rennet and are halal-friendly.^12
Inspect the Ingredients
When it comes to sauces and condiments, most of Subway‘s offerings are halal-compliant. The yellow mustard, Subway vinaigrette, sweet onion sauce, oil and vinegar, and buffalo sauce are all safe bets.^13 However, a handful do contain small amounts of alcohol (teriyaki glaze) or animal enzymes (ranch dressing, mayonnaise).^14 When in doubt, ask to see the ingredient list.
The same goes for Subway‘s breads—while they don‘t contain animal products, some varieties are made with ingredients like l-cysteine (which can be sourced from poultry feathers) and mono and diglycerides (which can be animal-derived).[^15] If you‘re unsure, opt for the Italian or 9-grain wheat.
Mind Cross-Contamination
Even if your sandwich is free of haram ingredients, there‘s still the issue of potential cross-contamination from the knives, gloves, and surfaces used to handle non-halal meats. The risk is lower than at other sandwich shops that pre-mix salads or grill meats in shared spaces. But as Subway workers slice deli meats to order, it‘s possible for juices to transfer between subs.
To mitigate this, you can request that staff change their gloves and use fresh utensils when preparing your order. Of course, this isn‘t foolproof, so stricter adherents may prefer to avoid restaurants without dedicated halal prep areas altogether.
Look for Alternatives
For Muslim consumers seeking more inclusive options at Subway, it‘s worth voicing that demand to local managers and corporate leadership. As a 2017 MEND case study points out:
"The only way companies will consider offering halal products is if we explain the idea, beginning at the local level. Start with your nearby franchises. Explain to the owner or senior management that you and your friends would visit more often if halal meat was an option."[^16]
It‘s also worth noting that major fast-food chains are increasingly investing in plant-based proteins like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, which are vegan and therefore halal by default.[^17] Subway itself has tested "meatless meatball" subs in select markets.[^18] As these options become more mainstream, they could offer a workaround for Muslim diners.
The Diversity of Halal Interpretations
It‘s important to acknowledge that the Muslim community is not a monolith, and interpretations of what constitutes "halal" can vary. Some Muslims will only eat meat that has been certified by an accredited halal agency. Others are comfortable eating non-halal meats as long as they are from acceptable animals killed in a similar manner to halal slaughter.
There are also varying opinions on issues like alcohol as a coating or ingredient (like vanilla extract), or processing aids that are not present in the final food.[^19] Each individual Muslim must make their own informed decision based on their level of observance.
As Imam Khalid Latif of New York University‘s Islamic Center explains:
"What someone chooses to eat and not eat is a very personal choice. We shouldn‘t make someone feel bad about what they choose. With regards to halal, there‘s a big spectrum in terms of people‘s practice and approach to it."^20
The Bigger Picture
At the end of the day, the question of whether Subway is halal is just one facet of a larger challenge facing Muslim consumers in the West—a lack of awareness and accommodation of their dietary needs in the mainstream food industry.
Apps like Zabihah have stepped in to fill the information gap, allowing users to search for halal-friendly restaurants and read reviews from other Muslim diners. But there is still much progress to be made in terms of industry-wide halal certification standards and labeling practices.
Muslim consumers can play a role in pushing for change by voting with their dollars and advocating for more inclusive options at their favorite restaurants. As Jamal Hashi, a partner at the Toronto halal food marketing agency Halal & Co., suggests:
"The best thing Muslims can do is to be vocal about their needs. If you go to a restaurant and they don‘t have halal options, tell them. Write to the company. Post on social media. The more Muslims demand halal, the more businesses will pay attention."[^21]
Key Takeaways
To recap, here are the main points Muslim consumers should know about Subway‘s halal status:
- The vast majority of Subway restaurants in the United States are not halal-certified. However, there are fully halal Subway locations in some countries with larger Muslim populations, like the UK and Malaysia.
- At a typical US Subway, the safest options for halal diners are vegetarian sandwiches (like the Veggie Delite), tuna subs, and sides like chips and cookies. Most cheese and sauce options are also halal-compliant.
- Cross-contamination from non-halal meats is a potential concern, but can be mitigated by requesting staff change gloves and use fresh utensils. Stricter adherents may prefer to avoid non-certified restaurants altogether.
- Muslim consumers should always inspect ingredient lists and ask questions to make informed choices. When in doubt, consult resources like Zabihah or local Islamic authorities.
- The halal status of a restaurant is not always black and white, and individual Muslims may have different interpretations and comfort levels based on their level of observance.
- By advocating for more halal options and supporting businesses that cater to their needs, Muslim consumers can help push the food industry towards greater inclusivity.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to eat at Subway or any other non-certified restaurant is a personal one that each Muslim must make for themselves. But by staying informed and engaged, the Muslim community can work towards a world where halal options are the norm, not the exception.
[Word count: 2,148] [^1]: Pew Research Center. (2017). "The Changing Global Religious Landscape."[^2]: Pew Research Center. (2017). "Muslims and Islam: Key findings in the U.S. and around the world."
[^3]: Dinar Standard. (2020). "State of the Global Islamic Economy Report 2020/21."
[^4]: Allied Market Research. (2019). "Halal Food Market Outlook- 2026." [^6]: Riaz, M.N. & Chaudry, M.M. (2003). Halal Food Production. CRC Press.
[^7]: Islamic Council of Victoria. (n.d.). "What is halal? A guide for non-Muslims."
[^8]: McDonald‘s Singapore. (n.d.). "Halal-Certified."
[^9]: KFC UK. (n.d.). "Halal."
[^10]: Harwell, D. (2015). "For many U.S. Muslims, Ramadan is a time to fast, reflect on faith — and ask for halal dishes from fast-food chains." The Washington Post.
[^11]: Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America. (2018). "IFANCA 2018 White Paper Series: Halal Regulations and Halal Certifications in the USA." [^15]: Schaeffer, A. (2007). "The Skinny on Subway‘s Bread." ABC News.
[^16]: Aleem, M. (2017). "Business Success with Halal Food Products." MEND Insights.
[^17]: Spencer, M. (2019). "Burger King plans to roll out Impossible Whopper across the United States." CBS News.
[^18]: Luna, N. (2019). "Beyond Meat and Subway test plant-based meatballs." Nation‘s Restaurant News.
[^19]: Eardley, N. (2017). "The grey area in halal." BBC News. [^21]: Siddiqui, A. (2020). "The Role of Consumers in Increasing Access to Halal Food." Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America.
