Ethyl alcohol on bread surface

August 12, 2024
Answered by Mufti Ismail Moosa
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Question

Assalamu alaykum, I live in Italy and a lot of the bread sold in shops is usually treated with ethyl alcohol on the surface, as to maintain the freshness of the bread for a long time. Ethyl alcohol is not listed in the ingredients of the bread, which are all usually halal, but it’s written after them with the sentence “Treated with ethyl alcohol on the surface”. Some other types of bread are instead treated with ethyl alcohol derived from cereals, but I don’t have more information on that since it only says “ethyl alcohol from cereal”. Is this type of bread halal to consume? Jazak Allahu khayran

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Answer

Waʿalaykum as-Salām wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuhu,

The ruling on ethyl alcohol is contingent upon its source:

  • If ethyl alcohol is derived from grapes or dates, its consumption is impermissible.
  • If it is derived from other sources, its consumption is permissible, provided it does not cause intoxication.

Therefore, it is advisable to contact the bread companies to ascertain the source of the ethyl alcohol used.

And Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala knows best.

Answered by: Mufti Ismail Moosa