Is China Grass Halal?

Question:

Wanted to know the ruling(hukum)of china grass also known as agar agar(it is a food product),as some people says it’s not halaal to use, normally it is used in sweet dishes,kindly get through this matter and reply wether it is permissible to use (eat) or not & what is the ruling of it?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

China grass / agar is a gelling agent produced exclusively from seaweed^[1]. Since china grass / agar is plant-based and does not contain any other impermissible ingredients, it will be permissible to consume.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

^[1] Williams, Peter W.; Phillips, Glyn O. Agar is made from seaweed and it is attracted to bacteria. (2000). “Chapter 2: Agar”. Handbook of hydrocolloids. Cambridge: Woodhead. p. 91. ISBN 1-85573-501-6