Is collagen halal?
Collagen
Collagen is the main structural protein found in animal tissues (skin, bones, cartilage).
Collagen supplements are often taken for skin and joints and may also support hair, nails and gut health. It is typically consumed orally, as a gel or drink.
Collagen derivatives can also be found in beauty products such as anti-ageing creams, though it is unclear whether there is sufficient evidence to support the use of collagen, particularly through topical means.
As collagen is an unmodified animal product, it should be derived from a halal source, such as bone broth from animals slaughtered in a halal way, halal-approved bovine collagen supplements or from a marine source. Collagen is typically extracted from marine or bovine sources but can occasionally be porcine in origin.
Collagen derivatives- gelatine, hydrolysed collagen and collagen peptides
Gelatine
Collagen can be processed chemically to derive gelatine, through the process of hydrolysis. Gelatine comprises peptide chains and has different physical and structural properties to collagen. Under the principle of istihalah (complete transformation), this would render gelatine a pure and permissible product according to the Hanafi school, even if the original collagen source was not halal (ie. porcine or if the animal was non-zabihah.) Gelatine acts as a gelling agent and is frequently found in capsules, sweets and pastries. Plant-based alternatives include pectin and agar in foods and methylcellulose in capsules.
Hydrolysed collagen and collagen peptides
Hydrolysed collagen results in breaking the collagen down even further into smaller peptides- “collagen peptides” or fully into elemental amino acids. Collagen peptides dissolve easily in water and are rapidly absorbed by the body. “Hydrolysed collagen” refers to collagen which has been hydrolysed more extensively than collagen and may comprise small peptides or amino acids.
What is istihalah?
If a substance derived from a najis (impure) or haram source undergoes such a change that it no longer retains its original physical properties (smell, state, texture, etc.), the Hanafi opinion is that it is consider purified and permissible. This transformation is known as istihalah.
A classical example of istihalah would be the transformation of wine into vinegar. Another example is the saponification process, whereby soap is derived from animal fat from a source considered to be “impure”. The chemical processes involved include hydrolysis and esterification.
The key fiqhi principle here is istihālah (complete transformation). Therefore the same ruling for gelatine applies to hydrolysed collagen and collagen peptides, both orally and topically. According to the principle of istihalah, within the Hanafi school, gelatine, collagen peptides and hydrolysed collagen are all permissible. If you are consuming collagen which has not been hydrolysed, this should be derived from a halal source or a marine source. There are no vegan or plant-based collagens.
Of note, however, there is a breadth of opinion amongst the scholars regarding istihalah and therefore, there is no uniform agreement on the permissibility of gelatine and collagen peptides within the other madhahib (Maliki, Shafi’I or Hanbali).
Practical guidance:
Collagen supplementation can be achieved through halal/ home- made bone broth, marine and halal-certified collagen supplements. It can provide a valuable source of protein and minerals which can help to support overall health, including gut health. Many cultures have their own version of bone broth within their traditional diets and it is often given to those who are recovering from illness as it is recognised as being highly nutritious.
However, for therapeutic and beauty purposes, hydrolysed collagen is considered superior as it is better absorbed. There are many halal-certified hydrolysed collagen products on the market (bovine from halal-slaughtered animals) and a range of marine collagen products, which do not require halal certification. Using these avoids scholarly disagreement.
It is not permissible to use whole collagen from non-halal sources, topically, as in creams, or orally. However, in the case of hydrolysed collagen and collagen peptides, permissibility would be contingent on the position with regards to istihalalah where a non-halal collagen source is concerned (eg. non-zabihah bovine collagen). To conclude, following the Hanafi opinion of istihalah, gelatine, hydrolysed collagen and collagen peptides are permissible as supplements and in creams irrespective of the source but whole collagen, which is a tissue protein, should only be consumed from a halal source. Hydrolysed collagen is touted as being more easily absorbed and therefore thought to deliver greater benefit than whole collagen.
Scientific information by Dr Saania Bhatti