Halal Analysis Principle for Food and Pharmaceutical: A Case Study of Gelatin

This study is aimed to establish the principles of fiqh and alternative solutions in the halal industry, particularly the study of gelatin as a part of ingredients that are often used in the food and pharmaceutical industry. The critical points of this study that should be supervised are the capability to understand and investigate the unlawful materials, micro-products or biotechnology, chemical and physical changes of materials, as well as halal analysis that in line with the Islamic jurisprudence. This study proposes to use the principles of Istihalah, istihlak, and ṭahārah as alternative solutions in the halal industry. Government oversight through the Halal Product Guarantee Agency as well as the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency is also significant to take into consideration. Gelatin sourced from cows, goats, other mammals or poultry, must be accompanied by a written guarantee that the slaughter process is carried out following Sharia. The manufacturing process that uses enzymes also needs to be traced to its halalness. The production facilities must also have been cleaned from unclean according to their severity. Another alternative to gelatin is vegetable ingredients. Amylum and cellulose can be alternative ingredients. The character of gel, viscosity, elasticity, and several other characters are similar to the character of gelatin.