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Fatwa CenterInvestigating the food products in non-Muslim countries
Question
I had recently moved to a Western country. In order to find out about the Halaal food items I have been taking help of several websites. But to my dismay (1) There are several products which are not mentioned in these websites (2) If one website claims a food product to be Halaal other website mentions it under the Haraam list (3) Mostly they say that the product was declared to be Halaal until the day of review and is liable to change it's Halaal status any time so we need to check it with the company (4) I also read that all the products do not mention all the components included in them so we cannot rely on the ingredient list mentioned on the product label.
Under these circumstances (1) Can we buy the food products if on the product, the ingredient list does not mention any Haraam source?
(2)As many products are imported from other countries, how do we check their status?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
First of all, it should be noted that in principle all food stuff are permissible to eat. Allaah Says (which means): {It is He who created for you all of that which is on earth.}[Quran 2:29]. This is the principle and no food is to be excluded from this principle unless it is confirmed that the food is forbidden because it contains an impurity or causes harm. Nonetheless, it is true that many people in the West fear food stuff because it usually contains pork ingredients like rennet or fat. However, it would be enough for a person to read the ingredients of such food products in order to find out whether or not they contain these forbidden ingredients. The production company generally rights in details the ingredients of every single food item on its cover, and this removes the doubt. This is enough and one is not obliged to investigate what is beyond this as this causes difficulty and hardship. Allaah Says (which means): {…and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty.}[Quran 22:78].
For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 82323 and 84072 about the meat of animals slaughtered by the People of the Book.
Allaah Knows best.
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