Adakah Gelatin Halal?

Apa itu Gelatin?

Gelatin is a translucent, colorless, flavorless food ingredient derived from collagen. Collagen is a structural protein found abundantly in animal connective tissues, bones, and skin. When collagen is partially hydrolyzed through prolonged boiling, it produces gelatin — a substance with unique gelling, thickening, and stabilizing properties that make it invaluable in food manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.

Bagaimana Gelatin Dihasilkan?

Gelatin production begins with raw materials sourced from animal by-products — primarily pigskin, cattle hides, and cattle bones. The raw materials undergo extensive washing and pre-treatment. For acid-processed gelatin (Type A), pigskin is soaked in acid solutions for 24 hours. For alkali-processed gelatin (Type B), cattle hides and bones are treated with lime for weeks to months. After pre-treatment, the materials are washed and extracted in hot water at progressively higher temperatures. The resulting gelatin solution is filtered, concentrated in vacuum evaporators, dried, and ground into powder or sheets.

Adakah Gelatin Halal atau Haram?

The halal status of gelatin is one of the most debated topics in Islamic food law. Gelatin derived from pork is unanimously considered haram by all Islamic scholars. Gelatin from cattle, poultry, or fish that has been slaughtered according to Islamic rites (zabiha) is considered halal. The controversy arises with gelatin from non-zabiha cattle — some scholars argue that the extensive chemical transformation (istihalah) during manufacturing converts it into a new substance, potentially making it permissible. However, the majority scholarly position, endorsed by major fatwa councils including the Islamic Fiqh Academy, is that gelatin retains the ruling of its source animal.

Pendapat Ulama

The Islamic Fiqh Academy (OIC) ruled in its 1986 session that gelatin derived from haram sources remains haram, rejecting the istihalah argument for gelatin since it can revert to its original collagen form. The European Council for Fatwa and Research takes a similar stance. However, some Hanafi scholars accept the transformation argument, noting that the chemical process fundamentally changes the substance. The Malaysian JAKIM and Indonesian MUI both require gelatin to be sourced from halal-slaughtered animals for halal certification.

Pertimbangan Pensijilan Halal

When purchasing gelatin-containing products, look for explicit halal certification. The label 'gelatin' without further specification usually indicates pork-derived gelatin in Western countries. Halal-certified gelatin is available from bovine (halal-slaughtered cattle) and fish sources. Kosher gelatin is not necessarily halal — kosher fish gelatin is acceptable, but kosher bovine gelatin may not meet halal slaughter requirements.

Produk Biasa Mengandungi Gelatin

Gelatin lazimnya terdapat dalam jenis produk berikut:

• Gummy candies
• Marshmallows
• Yogurt
• Ice cream
• Capsule medications
• Jelly desserts
• Frosted cereals
• Cream cheese

Sentiasa semak label produk atau gunakan aplikasi Halal Scanner untuk mengesahkan status halal produk yang mengandungi Gelatin.