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Fatwa CenterIngredients used in foods
Question
I really want to know if the emulsifiers and stabilizers that they use in foods are Halal or not. Please could you help me?
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
Materials added to foodstuffs are used to preserve or color these foods. Some of these ingredients are natural like salt and oil; others are man-made with organic or inorganic substances.
Such materials are also used to prevent, delay or stop spreading of germs into food as well as to give a fixed color to food to draw the consumer's attention and to keep food fresh. Each material has the symbol "E" and a fixed number that indicates its type. Animal derivatives, such as bones may also be added to such materials. If such derivatives are taken from an animal slaughtered according to Sharia, then they are Halal. But, if any ingredient in foodstuffs is taken from a human being, then this food becomes Haram. It is also Haram to use any ingredients of pigs or any other forbidden animal.
Food regulators caution that the over use of additives used for coloring or preservation of food may be harmful to humans. Some additives may even cause cancer. Thus, governments regulate the use of food additives.
Therefore, we say that it is not allowed to take foodstuffs that include additives taken from a human being or an animal that was not slaughtered according to Sharia rules.
If one cannot recognize the nature of these additives, then one is advised to avoid their consumption.
In addition, one is not allowed to consume any material whose harm is proved. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {…And do not kill yourselves (nor kill one another). …}[4:29].
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "There should be no harm, nor reciprocal harming".
Moreover, manufacturers are also prohibited to use any Haram or harmful materials or additives.
Also, a consumer is advised to be careful when buying food and to avoid purchasing harmful foods if possible.
Allah knows best.
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