Fatwa ID: 08122

Answered by: Alimah Maryam Badshah

Question:

Assalaamu alaikum,

East End Pure Ghee previously used to say ‘vegetarian’, however they are no longer stating this.

I have contacted them directly to inquire whether it is still vegetarian; however, they haven’t got back to me.

From what I understand, Ethyl Butyrate can be derived from both animal and plant-based sources. Below are the ingredients listed on the ghee tin.

Ingredients:

Milk Fat (99.8%), Flavouring: Ethyl Butyrate (0.01%)

Please can you confirm whether it would be permissible for consumption?

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

Answer:

Assalaamu ‘alaykum,

Ethyl Butyrate is an ester that can both be found naturally in fruits, as well as made synthetically. Ethyl Butyrate is synthesized from the reaction between ethanol (alcohol) and butyric acid in a condensation reaction during the distillation process. Butyric acid can be found and produced from both halal and haram sources.

Unfortunately, East End Foods does not have any information regarding their products on their website and neither did they reply to my inquiry regarding the type of Ethyl Butyrate they use. From what I have seen regarding their pure ghee sold in the UK, you are correct in that their packaging does not indicate that their pure ghee is halal or vegetarian. I would advise you to instead seek out the many alternative brands who do not contain this ingredient or are also certified to be halal.

Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.

Written by Alimah Maryam Badshah
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham

References:

Wikipedia – Ethyl Butyrate

Wikipedia – Butyric Acid

مَا أَسْكَرَ كَثِيرُهُ فَقَلِيلُهُ حَرَامٌ، وَهُوَ نَجَسٌ أَيْضًا قَالُوا: وَبِقَوْلِ مُحَمَّدٍ نَأْخُذُ.

Raddul Muhtār (Vol.4, pg.38, Dār Al-Fiqr)