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Here’s How to Compare Your Options Carefully
Choosing baby formula in Japan can be surprisingly difficult for Muslim families.
Many infant formulas commonly sold in Japanese supermarkets and drugstores do not carry halal certification. Some products may also use ingredients derived from pork, while in other cases the ingredient label alone may not tell you enough about the source of additives, enzymes or processing aids.
At the same time, halal-certified formulas from overseas can be purchased online from Japan, and some Japanese products do not list pork-derived fats, gelatin or alcohol in their publicly available ingredient information.
So what are the options?
Based on manufacturer and retailer information available as of September 1, 2026, this guide separates baby formula into two categories:
- halal-certified baby formula available to buyers in Japan
- Japanese formula without halal certification where pork-derived ingredients or alcohol are not identified in the published ingredient list
Because infant formula directly affects a baby’s nutrition and health, halal status should never be the only factor considered. Always check the recommended age, nutritional composition, allergies, preparation instructions and your baby’s individual needs. When necessary, consult a doctor, midwife or registered dietitian.
Halal-Certified Baby Formula Available From Japan
Bellamy’s Organic
Australian brand Bellamy’s Organic is one of the halal-certified formula options that can be purchased online by consumers in Japan.
The company states in its official FAQ that its full formula range is halal certified.
Source: Bellamy’s Organic
Its main lineup includes:
| Product | Recommended Age |
|---|---|
| Step 1 Infant Formula | 0–6 months |
| Step 2 Follow-On Formula | 6–12 months |
| Step 3 Toddler Milk Drink | 1 year and above |
Step 1 is an infant formula based on cow’s milk protein. However, ingredients and nutritional composition vary by product and stage, so parents should always check the label of the exact product being purchased (check the official information for Step 1).
In Japan, Bellamy’s Organic can be found through marketplaces such as Japan’s Official website, Rakuten and retailers specializing in imported products.
The manufacturer’s own online store currently ships within Australia, meaning purchases in Japan are generally made through overseas retailers or import channels.
Before ordering, it is worth checking:
- seller reliability
- shipping cost
- delivery time
- storage conditions
- expiration date
- whether the packaging matches the current certified product
Bellamy’s also provides a system that allows consumers to verify product authenticity using a QR code on the can.
Bubs Australia（バブズ・オーストラリア）
Bubs Australia is another Australian baby formula brand available through Japanese retailers.
Japanese authorized retailer Emyus states that the Bubs formulas it handles are halal certified by the Islamic Co-ordinating Council of Victoria (ICCV).
Its main products include the following.
Bubs Organic Formula
A cow’s milk-based range made using milk from grass-fed cows.
| Product | Recommended Age |
|---|---|
| Step-1 | 0–6 months |
| Step-2 | 6–12 months |
| Step-3 | 1–3 years |
Bubs A2 Goat Milk
A goat milk-based range.。
| Product | Recommended Age |
|---|---|
| Step-1 | 0–6 months |
| Step-2 | 6–12 months |
| Step-3 | 1–3 years |
Other products, including Bubs Supreme A2 Formula, may also be available depending on the retailer.
However, there is an important point to check before buying.
As of September 1, 2026, we could not confirm a clear statement about halal certification for baby formula on the main Bubs Australia website itself.
Product specifications and packaging may also vary depending on the market.
For that reason, Muslim consumers should not rely only on a retailer’s description. Check the actual product packaging for:
- a halal certification mark
- the certification body
- the exact certified product or range
This is particularly important when buying imported formula online.
Non-Halal Certified Japanese Baby Formula Without Pork-Derived Contents
For Japanese-made formulas, the situation is less straightforward.
Even when no pork-derived ingredients or alcohol appear in the ingredient list, that does not automatically mean the product can be described as halal.
The label may not disclose the source of every vitamin, emulsifier, enzyme or processing aid. It may also not provide information about shared production equipment or cross-contact.
For this reason, the products below should not be understood as halal-certified or guaranteed halal.
They are simply Japanese formulas where, based on the publicly available ingredient lists reviewed as of September 1, 2026, pork fat, gelatin and alcohol are not listed.
Wakodo Lebens Milk Haihai
Wakodo Lebens Milk Haihai is a Japanese infant formula intended for babies from birth to around one year old.
Its listed fats and oils include:
- palm oil
- fractionated palm kernel oil
- refined soybean oil
- refined fish oil
- arachidonic acid-containing oil
The manufacturer’s published ingredient information does not list pork fat, gelatin or alcohol.
However, the product does not carry halal certification, so the origin of all additives and processing-related materials cannot be confirmed from the ingredient list alone.
Morinaga Hagukumi
Morinaga Hagukumi is another Japanese infant formula that can be used from birth.
Its blended fats include:
- palm kernel oil
- palm oil
- soybean oil
- perilla oil
It also contains refined fish oil and arachidonic acid-containing oil.
The manufacturer’s published ingredient list does not identify pork fat, gelatin or alcohol.
Again, this does not mean the product is halal-certified or that every ingredient source and production process has been independently verified for halal compliance.
Snow Brand Megmilk Pure
Snow Brand Megmilk Pure is also designed for infants from birth.
Its main fats include vegetable oils such as:
- palm kernel oil
- soybean oil
- palm oil
- canola oil
It also contains refined fish oil.
According to the manufacturer’s published ingredient information, pork fat, gelatin and alcohol are not listed.
However, the product does not have halal certification.
What About Taurine in Baby Formula?
Some Muslim consumers may notice taurine listed among baby formula ingredients and wonder whether it is animal-derived.
The name alone does not tell you whether taurine is halal or haram.
Taurine can be produced using different raw materials and manufacturing methods.
For example, taurine produced by Mitsui Chemicals for food-related applications received halal certification from the Japan Muslim Association in October 2010 (source here in Japanese).
So it would be inaccurate to assume “taurine = haram”. What matters is the source and production method of the taurine used in the specific product.
Unless the manufacturer provides that information, the halal status of that ingredient may remain unclear.
Why an Ingredient List Alone Cannot Guarantee Halal Status
A formula may appear to contain no pork-derived ingredients, but there can still be information that is not visible on the label.
For example:
- the origin of vitamins and emulsifiers
- the source of enzymes used to process milk proteins
- processing aids used during manufacturing
- whether production lines are shared with other products
- changes in ingredient suppliers
- changes in formulation or manufacturing methods
This is why it is more accurate to say:
The product is not halal certified, but pork-derived ingredients and alcohol are not listed in the currently published ingredient information. The halal status of all additives and manufacturing processes has not been confirmed.
Different Muslim families may also have different standards regarding how much verification they require.
If certification is particularly important to your household, choosing a product with a clearly identifiable halal certification mark remains the most straightforward option.
8 Things to Check Before Buying Baby Formula in Japan
Before purchasing, Muslim parents may want to check the following:
- Does the product display a halal certification mark?
- Can you identify the certification body and certified product?
- Is the formula appropriate for your baby’s age?
- Are pork fat, pork-derived gelatin or alcohol listed?
- Can the manufacturer clarify the origin of additives or enzymes if needed?
- Is the formula appropriate for your baby’s allergies and health needs?
- Are the preparation instructions clear and suitable for your situation?
- Are you purchasing from a reliable retailer?
Formula specifications and ingredients can change.
Imported formulas may also use different scoop sizes, powder-to-water ratios and preparation methods from Japanese products.
Even if you have bought the same brand before, check the package every time and follow the instructions printed on the specific product.
So, What Halal Baby Formula Can You Buy in Japan?
As of September 1, 2026, two imported brands we could identify as offering halal-certified formula available to consumers in Japan are:
- Bellamy’s Organic
- Bubs Australia
Both are Australian brands and are generally purchased in Japan through import retailers or online shopping services.
For Bubs in particular, consumers should check the actual packaging and certification mark for the specific product being purchased.
Among widely available Japanese formulas, the published ingredient lists for the following products do not list pork fat, gelatin or alcohol:
- Wakodo Lebens Milk Haihai
- Morinaga Hagukumi
- Snow Brand Megmilk Pure
However, none of these three products should be described as halal-certified.
Their ingredient lists alone do not confirm the origin of every additive, enzyme or processing aid, nor do they establish whether the entire manufacturing process meets halal requirements.
For Muslim parents, the most useful distinction is therefore not simply “halal” or “not halal.”
Instead, check whether a product is halal certified, what information the manufacturer actually provides, and whether that level of verification meets your family’s needs.
Most importantly, choose a formula that is nutritionally appropriate and safe for your baby as well as compatible with your religious considerations.
