Translators may add a paragraph break here (so Revised Standard Version).

But many in Israel stood firm and were resolved in their hearts not to eat unclean food: Unclean food refers to food that the Law of Moses prohibited (compare verse 47). Good News Bible renders this verse well, and so does New English Bible with “Yet many in Israel found strength to resist, taking a determined stand against eating any unclean food.” Another possible model is:

• However, many people in Israel continued in their determination not to eat any [ritually] unclean food [or, food that was forbidden by the Law of Moses].

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.