GELATIN IN HALAL PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS

Abstract

Since the Muslim population has increased around the world, they are more concerned about halal awareness. Therefore, there are a lot of emerging halal industries nowadays, and among them is halal pharmaceuticals. However, with the advancement of technology, gelatin-based products have been widely developed and are being used in the pharmaceutical industry. Nevertheless, its halal status can be questionable (mashbooh). Hence, this paper is aimed to study the Islamic perspective on gelatin-based products in pharmaceuticals. The study uses a qualitative method which involves a literature review from al-Quran, as-Sunnah, articles, journals, and some other references from the internet that can be trusted as data sources. Apart from that, the methodology of this study is by researching the istihalah method and fatwa in Malaysia to determine the halal status of gelatin in pharmaceutical products. Besides, this paper also focuses on the Malaysian Standard of Halal Pharmaceuticals- General Requirements (MS 2424:2019) and Malaysian Halal Certification Procedure Manual- Domestic 2020 (MPPHM 2020). The finding of this study shows that gelatin mostly comes from animal sources. Therefore, its halal status can be questionable even if it comes from permitted animals such as cows or chickens. This is because the animals are considered halal if they were slaughtered according to Islamic law only. Hence, to avoid religious concerns, there is a lot of research on the alternatives to animal gelatin such as from marine sources and plant-based sources. From the Islamic perspective, the use of gelatin from marine sources and animals that have been slaughtered according to Islamic rules is halal. However, gelatin sources from pork and its derivatives are still haram after going istihalah because its chemical substances remain the same and unchanged even after istihalah. Nevertheless, during an emergency, it is permissible to consume it accordingly if there is no replacement or alternative for pork gelatin even if it is from haram sources.