Q: “Most food products nowadays contain some type of flavouring – natural, artificial, or a combination of both. Many of these flavourings contain alcohol, which is used as a carrier or solvent for the flavouring.” (foodguide.org.uk)
Any product which contains the ingredient “Flavouring” has a chance of alcohol being used in the making process. (The flavouring can be a vanilla flavouring.) This includes chocolates, crisps, biscuits, cakes and fizzy drinks.
I am aware that if alcoholic flavourings which are from dates or grapes are not permissible.
The GMWA foodguide (http://www.foodguide.org.uk/?page=viewquestion&id=200) have written:
” Flavourings from dates and grapes?
Alhumdulillah, to date from over 15 years of experience in the field, we have yet to come across flavourings sourced from dates and grapes in the UK market.
We don’t issues fatwas at the drop of the hat, but pertinent information is necessary for a decision. Furthermore, we do not charge the companies or consumers for this service, it is totally a Lillah service.
To summarise:
Alcoholic Flavourings: They are permissible due to necessity and public predicament as they are so widely used in the food industry. Alcohol Extracts e.g. (vanilla, yeast and others): They are permissible due to necessity and public predicament as they are so widely used in the food industry.”
My questions is:
Is it necessary to do tahqeeq (research) about every food product which contains the ingredient “Flavouring” or contains a alcoholic flavouring before eating it?
A: If you are not clear and your doubts are strong regarding the commodity you are eating then you should make tahqeeq.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
عن أبي الحوارء السعدي قال قلت للحسن بن علي : ما حفظت من رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم قال حفظت من رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم دع ما يريبك إلى مالا يريبك (جامع الترمذي # 2518)
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
Q: If your your doubts are not strong because the GMWA foodguide (http://www.foodguide.org.uk/?page=viewquestion&id=200) have written:
” Flavourings from dates and grapes?
Alhumdulillah, to date from over 15 years of experience in the field, we have yet to come across flavourings sourced from dates and grapes in the UK market.”
Then would it be still be necessary to make tahqeeq (research)?
A: If you have the confidence in them then there is no harm in following them.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿النحل: ٤٣﴾
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
Q:
1. How much percentage would be classed as doubt?
2. If one feels that most probably the vanilla extract is not from dates or grapes will it be necessary?
A: We suggest that you refer these types of matters to SANHA.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)