Muslims eating Pig fat, courtesy PepsiCo: Rumour or Fact?
April 24, 2012 
99healthplus 
2,641 Views 
It’s been almost half a decade for the E631 controversy, but it keeps on lingering in the minds of people of Muslim community. Still, there have been groups amongst Muslims who consider the controversy to be a mere rumour and the others who are hesitant to eat Lays chips or have completely left eating the Lays chips.
Well, analysing all the aspects of the ‘Lays’ controversy and the points raised against the PepsiCo during the case, one encounters two different perspectives. There are various blogs, forums and online contents which clearly blame PepsiCo for making use of E631 extracted from pig fat and calls Lays as haram for the Muslims. The group supporting this ideology presented various references stating that the E631 (Disodium inosinate) which is added in the Lays as taste enhancer is actually obtained in three different sources namely from sardines (fish), from yeast extract of brewer (a by-product of beer-making process) and can be extracted from pig’s meat. The people argued that if it’s made from sardines, then there is no problem in eating Lays potato chips. However, they said that it is better to avoid eating chips when made from brewer’s yeast extract and taboo on Muslims if it is obtained from pig’s meat.
As the rumours were such that PepsiCo uses E631 and it can be obtained from pig’s meat also, certain groups Muslims somewhere down the line started believing the rumours to be true. As the Holy Quran states eating pig as haram (forbidden on Muslims) in its Surah Al-Maida (chapter 5, Verse 3), many of the people from the Muslims community boycotted eating Lays potato chips. It didn’t stop here and the rumour went viral with many having debate over the issue for years now. People started commenting how unhealthy eating junk food is and especially when fats of animals like pig are used in it. These entire points raise various health related issues online and various other media along with the hurting of religious sentiments of Muslims by PepsiCo. Many who prefer eating vegetarian food also tried to avoid consumption of Lays compelling the company to intervene and justify as well as solve the queries that dwelled in the people’s minds to eradicate the rumours completely.
However, PepsiCo reacted to all this quickly claiming that the E631 used in the Lays is made from Tapioca starch extracted from plant and not from any animal’s meat. The company also presented certificates sanctioned by some of the big Islamic authorities approving Lays to be halal to support its side. The certificates had written notifications stating that the E631 used in the product is derived from halal source. Some of the Islamic authorities supporting this perspective included the Central Islamic Committee of Thailand, South African National Halaal Authority, Jamia Ashrafia of Pakistan and other Central Islamic bodies from the countries that supply raw material for the production of Lays chips.
In addition to this, one can wonder about is why PepsiCo didn’t declare the name of the plant from which it extracts the tapioca starch. Moreover, we wonder why PepsiCo didn’t come up with a video ad showing making of E631 or the facility where the ingredient E631 is made. We are well aware of the case in which the worms were found in Cadbury and the company was blamed for playing with the lives of children. In such worst case, Cadbury responded very well and came up with a commercial showing how neatly and carefully the Cadbury chocolates are made in healthy environment. Company could very well justify that the worms found in Cadbury wasn’t due to company’s fault, but probably the fault of the dealer or retailer.
On the other hand, we also know that the companies don’t disclose their formula. The best instance of this is KFC, which has not revealed its formula of spices blend used by its chain outlets for cooking its dishes. Similarly, it is clear that PepsiCo didn’t want its formula of making Lays to become known and so they avoided any sort of commercial depicting the making of chips or deriving of E631 from tapioca starch from plant.
Although many of the Muslims may not trust the brand and avoid eating Lays potato chips, it is to be noted that the PepsiCo has received the certificates of using halal ingredients in chips from some of the well renowned and trusted centres of Islamic authorities. Still, if any of you have some strong points to support your view over the matter, then you can leave your valuable comments that would enhance the clarity on whether Muslims should eat Lays chips or not.
However, we being health conscious would always suggest you to take healthy diet and avoid junk food.
Now i hate lays chips.
Attention, world muslims, jews and all others that believe it is unlawful to touch pork or allow it into your bodies due to impurities that God purified, Americans eat pig! Pig is in American’s blood and water bodies. Our bodies sweat pig water into the Air. If you breathe in American Air or Drink American Water, You have pig entering into your mind, body and soul already. If you smell bacon, it has already entered your brain and cannot be removed. If you have SEX with an American that eats pig, you are touching pig in their body of water that exumes from our skin. The only way to be saved is to leave the country of America, accept Jesus Christ as God, for Him and His Father, is in us All and Water too, purifying pigs to those that believe in Jesus Christ and BY NO OTHER NAME, SHALL YOU BE SAVED! America’s sweat, water and air, will follow you wherever you go so you had better hurry up and repent from worshipping some other perishing false impurities and false gods and idols for My God IS in the Air, Light and Water and is coming to All, in All, so is pig.
Who wants a yummy cream filled twinky? Attention All muslims, jews, Christians, Buddhists and Gentiles of America or has ever been here. When you smell bacon being cooked, that is molecules of pork of pig, entering your body and brain and cannot be removed. Restaurants and Americans cook with pig fat. Whomever eats or whos generations past has eaten or smelled pork is also in you now. Whoever’s had any generation that ate fried chicken or any fried food In the past made with lard as All Americans free or in slavery in the beginning of America to now has already, has eaten pig fat and is in you now. Accept Jesus Christ for in and with Him entertaining His righteousness living in Him and His Father with holy spirit of Christ In and through All, with Them in you and nature, then, All things are pure To you. I say as was told Peter, “Do not call common or impure that in which I Have Purified”. Eat pig, pork and cook bacon too for all to smell for food is purified in sanctification and prayer by faith In Jesus Christ, as food Is His Flesh as is drink is His Blood. JOHN 6:50-59. Acts 11:1-18. Titus 1; 15-16, Romans 14. NKJV.