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I read Ml. Nauman's fatwa on cheese enzymes. Very informative. Is this the same ruling for enzymes found in bread? What if the bread has the U Dairy sign?
There are multiple enzymes which are used in bread, such as amylases, proteases, and lipases. All these could be derived from plant, microbial, or animal sources.[1] Although most industrial breads today rely on microbial and plant-derived enzymes, a minority of products still incorporate animal-sourced enzymes.[2] These animal enzymes are typically harvested from bovine, porcine, and ovine sources. Bread manufactured with animal-sourced enzymes should be avoided.[3]
A product bearing a kosher certification does not necessarily mean it is halal. Animal-sourced enzymes in such products may be derived from animals slaughtered according to kosher laws, which do not fulfill the requirements of halal slaughter.[4] Additionally, kosher-certified products may contain ingredients that are permissible under kosher laws but considered haram.
And Allah knows best.
Ml. Nauman Muslehuddin
Student, Darul Iftaa Chicago
Checked and Approved:
Mf. Abrar Mirza
Head Mufti, Darul Iftaa Chicago
[1] The Sourdough School. “Beneath the Crust: The Chemical Cocktail in Our Daily Bread.” The Sourdough School. https://www.sourdough.co.uk/additives-including-preservatives-enzymes-emulsifiers-and-bread-improvers-that-are-approved-for-use-in-bread-the-uk/. Accessed April 28, 2025.
[2] Okpara, M. (2022). “Microbial Enzymes and Their Applications in Food Industry: A Mini-Review.” Advances in Enzyme Research, 10(1), 23–47. https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=115826. Accessed April 28, 2025.
[3] “Use of Enzymes Derived from Animal Sources.” Darul Iftaa Chicago April 23, 2025. Accessed April 28, 2025. https://daruliftaa.us/fatwa/552/
[4] “Kosher Meat.” Darul Iftaa Chicago February 21, 2025. Accessed April 28, 2025. https://daruliftaa.us/fatwa/524/
May 2, 2025
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