Question Summary:
Is Soy Lecithin 476 Halaal or Haraam?

Question Detail:

 
Is Soy Lecithin 476 Halaal or Haraam? Its normally in all choclates of Cadbury,Nestle,etc.Please Advice.

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykumwa-rahmatullāhiwa-barakātuh.
Lecithins are oily substances that occur naturally in plants (soybeans) and animals (egg yolks).[1]
Soy lecithin is a phospholipid which is derived from soybeans. It is basically a by-product which is obtained from the processing of soybean. In order to get lecithin, soybeans are tempered and stored at a consistent temperature and moisture for more than a week. This allows hydrating, and loosening the hull. The hull is then separated from the beans, and soybean oil is extracted. It is then that soy lecithin is separated from the oil.[2]
 
If the Soy Lecithin is extracted from vegetables (plant based), then it will be permissible and Halal. However, if the soy lecithin is derived from non-plant based sources such as animal based, then there are many factors to consider before determining the permissibility of such a product, for example, method of slaughter.
 
Soya Lecithin allergic patients should abstain from soya lecithin products after seeking appropriate medical counsel.
 
Ismail Desai                        
Darul Iftaa
Durban, South Africa
 
Checked and Approved by
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.