Kosher Gelatin means the gelatin derived from kosher slaughtered and processed bovine sources or from kosher species of fish. Ever wondered whether kosher gelatin is halal or not? And what is kosher gelatin? It depends on various factors. Some of the kosher gelatin is halal the other is not. It all depends on the source. Let us all discover together what is considered halal gelatin and what is not when it comes to koshers gelatin.
Is kosher gelatin halal or haram? Let’s discuss on some theories in respect of Islam.
Is Kosher Gelatin Halal According To All Fiqhs?
Is gelatin halal? Or is gelatin haram? The opinion exists on the issue of either kosher gelatin is halal or not. In this section, we will list the opinions of people who think kosher gelatin is halal in certain conditions.
Kosher Gelatin: According To Hatem ALHaj
Yes, since their meat is halal for us to eat, and kosher foods are slaughtered by Jews and they don’t compromise in that regard. It is important to note that Jews may have foods labelled kosher that contain wine. Therefore, kosher is not synonymous with halal. In the case of gelatin, it is halal.
There are some other people who agree with him. According to halal yummies, there are different kosher certifying organizations and they all consider different things to be kosher. Foods that are labelled OU, V, CRC, and KUF K can be regarded as halal meat. These organizations are the ones that don’t consider pork gelatin to be the koshers products.
There’s one kind of kosher jello that is considered to be halal by almost everyone is made up of fish.
According to seekershub, a hanafi school of thought based website;
It depends on the source of the gelatin. If it is from slaughtered kosher meat, it would be halal since the meat is halal. If it is from fish or vegetarian sources, it is of course halal. Here is a question arises, is kosher gelatin vegetarian? “Kosher gelatin” is, generally speaking, not vegetarian. If it’s actually called gelatin, then it’s likely derived from animal bones, particularly fish. The Kosher appellation simply means that it’s not sourced from the bones of pigs or otherwise treff sources.
Mostly vegan products whether gelatin or any other food is both kosher and halal. This goes for vegetarian products too.
According To Ahle Tasheeh Fiqh On Sistani.org;
It is also permissible to eat gelatin if one thinks that it has been extracted from an animal or vegetable. But, if it is known that it was derived from an animal, then it is not permissible to eat without ascertaining that the animal was slaughtered according to sharia. This prohibition applies, as a matter of obligatory precaution, even if it was extracted from animal bones.
Of course, if a chemical change occurs in the original ingredients during the process of manufacturing the gelatin, there is no problem at all in eating it. Similarly, even if one has doubt whether the animal was slaughtered Islamically or not, still there is no problem in adding the gelatin [made from that animal] to the food in such a minute amount that it is completely absorbed in it.
Is gelatin kosher? It would be easier to know in detail whether kosher gelatin is halal or not if we go into the similarities and differences between koshers and halal foods.
Similarities Between Islamic And Judaism Dietary Laws.
Following are the similarities between Islamic and Judaism dietary laws.
- Pig or swine is haram in both kosher and halal good laws.
- Bovine animals are in both dietary systems.
- According to kosher dietary laws, not all sea fish and animals are halal. Only the ones with the scales and fins. This is similar to Shia law, except Shias also allow prawns and shrimps. For Sunnis all the aquatic creatures are halal.
- Vegan gelatin that comes from the plant agar is halal.
- Similarly, some of the locusts and grasshoppers considered kosher. In Islam all kinds of locusts and grasshoppers are halal.
Now let us see what are the differences in the laws of halal and kosher?
- Alcohol of all kind is illegal in Islam. Alcohol of some kinds is permissible in Judaism food laws.
- Camels are not kosher but are halal.
- Kosher laws are much more strict and complex than halal laws.
Conclusion of kosher gelatin being halal
However, it can be safely said that not all kosher gelatin is halal. You have to check the source on the label to be sure that what you are consuming is legal in your sect not. So in conclusion, fish sourced kosher gelatin, bovine kosher gelatin and vegan gelatin can be consumed and are considered halal.
Happy eating everyone!
Halal gelatin is one of the largest manufacturer of gelatin in Pakistan. They supply gelatin not only in Pakistan but around the globe like Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, and Germany.
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