[ChotooMotoo]

Originally Posted by IbnMardhiyah

My post above was implicitly referring to thejellymill's post about Kraft macaroni and cheese.

However if you read the entire article, you'll see it can apply to gelatin as well, so its very relevant to the issue regarding Cheesecake Factory.

So you take the opinion that since gelatin, while derived from animal bones a) undergoes a complete animal transformation from the initial animal ligaments and bones to the final gelatin product and b) is used in very small amounts, that it's okay? I'll buy that. I believe many Jews also follow the same reasoning, which is why even gelatin labeled as Koesher my actually come from pig sources. Here's a fatwa on the issue:

If the gelatine is derived from any part of an animal which can be consumed according to Shariah, e.g. cow, camel, sheep, goat, etc. and slaughtered according to Shariah, it will be permissible. If the
animal cannot be consumed according to Shariah, or was not slaughtered according to Shariah, the gelatine from such an animal will not be permissible. However, if it undergoes a complete change of metamorphosis (Tabdeel-e-Maahiyyat), the gelatine will be permissible. i.e. if metamorphosis takes place in pork gelatine or gelatine derived from an animal not slaughtered according to Shariah, it will be Halaal.

If it does not undergo a complete change, it is not permissible to use it or sell it. The income will be Haraam. However, in a state of Idhtiraar (desperation), one will be excused to use it if there is no alternative and prescribed by a Physician. The state of desperation must be confirmed by a reliable Mufti.

And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT