What is the ruling on consuming foods available in European markets that contain ingredients of unknown origin, such as mollusks or the fatty substance E471, when it is not clear whether they are permissible (halal) or forbidden (haram)?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The basic principle concerning beneficial things is permissibility, unless there is evidence to prove their prohibition, based on the Almighty's saying: "It is He who created for you all of that which is on the earth." Accordingly, there is no harm in eating from these things unless one is certain or predominantly believes that they contain something unlawful. Foods whose permissibility is doubted remain permissible according to their original status, unless it is proven that they contain something unlawful.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/115807
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 115807
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy