Shariah Status of E-Numbers Regarding Use in Sea Animals: An Analytical Study

Abstract

Since ancient times, man has been gaining awareness of the benefits of meat and plants through observation and experience. In the books of Greek and Islamic medicines, there is mentioned some benefits of meat and other organs of animals as well as various herbs and the medicine made from them in the treatment of various diseases. E-numbers are prefixed with E but non-European countries only use numbers, whether those numbers are used in Europe or not. For example, Actic Acid is written as e-260 on products sold in Europe, while in some countries it is simply written as additive 260. Since 1987, Australia has had an approved system for labeling additives on packaged foods under which it is necessary to give the name or number of each food additive. The numbers are the same as in Europe but without E. the US Food and Drugs Administration has also prepared a list of these additives as a general endorsement of their safety. E-numbers are food additives. The E stands for European and means that these additives have been tested for safety and been assessed for use in the European Union; EU. Each E-number is assigned its own unique number making it easier for manufacturers to list which are included in foods. The objective of this research work is by reviewing halal, haram and suspicious E-Numbers in the light of shariah related to marine animals which are being used for food.