Most-asked question
Are kombucha and fermented drinks halaal?
15 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 4 South African Darul Iftas (AskImam, Mufti Online, Azaadville, Ibn Masood). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.
Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.
Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.
What the Darul Iftas say
“According to your explanation of the procedure of producing kefir milk and Kombucha tea, they are halal.”
“Generally, all types of alcohols are Haraam and Najis (impure). Research shows that Kombucha, which is a fermented drink, contains alcohol and is capable of intoxicating. Therefore, Kombucha will be Haram and Najis (impure).”
“It is permissible to use fermented products for medicinal reasons, as long as it does not intoxicate one.”
Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.
Read the fatawa
- Kombucha tea and kefir. AskImam · 23 Oct 2025
- Kombucha drink Ibn Masood · 19 Jan 2022
- Kombucha Azaadville · 1 Jan 2022
- Drinking fermented honey Mufti Online · 30 Nov 2017
- Is Kombucha Halal? AskImam · 30 May 2023
- Fermented Foods Ibn Masood · 5 Nov 2025
- Kefir Azaadville · 3 Jul 2021
- Fermented food Mufti Online · 14 Aug 2016
- Probiotic foods with fermented process AskImam · 2 May 2019
- Fermented rosemary Mufti Online · 3 Nov 2013
- Is kefir Sunnah? AskImam · 11 Dec 2016
- Consuming fermented health drinks Mufti Online · 30 Dec 2017
- Fermented milk drinks. AskImam · 18 Sep 2016
- Yeast Fermentation in Dairy Products AskImam · 14 Apr 2015
- Kefir Milk AskImam · 17 Sep 2016
Search more fatawa on this Food, Halal & Slaughter topic Compare Darul Iftas