Dr. Rif`at Fawzi, former professor of Shari`ah at Cairo Univ., states the following: “Originally, the Muslim is required to seek that which is lawful and avoid that which is not especially regarding his foods. In this regard, I can say that if the gel used in sweets is derived from an animal that is usually halal to eat, then it is considered permissible. However, if the gel is derived from an animal that is usually haram for a Muslim to eat such as a pig or a dog, for example, then it is haram to have a gel of such kind.