AskImamDarul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah (AskImam)

Is lipase Halal?

Fatwa 47431English
Food and Drink

Question

Asalamualykoom Im just wondering if the following ingredient in cheese is halal i have tried some research but haven’t found a clear answer so please let me know Is lipase halal or haram Jazakallah

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Lipase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of lipids. It is used to impart distinct aromas and flavors to certain cheeses through the breakdown of milkfat.

Lipase is derived from the pancreatic glands of cows and pigs and the pre-gastric juices of calves, lambs, or baby goats. Lipase is also derived from yeast, microbes, and fungi.

Cheesemakers do not prefer microbial lipase because it creates poor taste results in the final product. However, several companies still use microbial lipase in their cheeses.[1]

It is Haram to consume cheese that is produced using lipase derived from non-Zabiha animals and pig. If the lipase is derived from Zabiha animals, then the cheese produced from such lipase is Halal. Similarly, the cheese that is produced using microbial lipase is Halal.[2]

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Shakib Alam

Student - Darul Iftaa

Pennsylvania, USA

Checked and Approved by,

Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

References (Arabic / Urdu sources)

[1] https://curd-nerd.com/lipase-what-is/

https://www.vrg.org/blog/2013/02/20/update-on-lipases/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipase

[2] (سورة البقرة 172,173)

يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِنْ طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِلَّهِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ (172) إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةَ وَالدَّمَ وَلَحْمَ الْخِنْزِيرِ

(سورة البقرة 61)

{وَإِذْ قُلْتُمْ يَامُوسَى لَنْ نَصْبِرَ عَلَى طَعَامٍ وَاحِدٍ فَادْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُخْرِجْ لَنَا مِمَّا تُنْبِتُ الْأَرْضُ مِنْ بَقْلِهَا وَقِثَّائِهَا وَفُومِهَا وَعَدَسِهَا وَبَصَلِهَا قَالَ أَتَسْتَبْدِلُونَ الَّذِي هُوَ أَدْنَى بِالَّذِي هُوَ خَيْرٌ

Answered by
Shakib Alam
Checked & approved by
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
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