Haraam Food & Drinks

The consequences of eating haraam meat

Q: I live in India, in a non-Muslim area. I have a lot of issues with vegetarian diet; bloating, excessive passing of gases, tinnitus increasing, stomach discomfort, skin issues etc. 

I have always eaten mostly meat-based diet, and it (Alhamdulillah) suits my health. I’ve been eating a mix of halal and non-halal meats (beef, mutton, chicken only, never pork). Unfortunately fish here is really toxic. My situation is such that I can have home cooked halal food once or maybe sometimes twice a day, but many a times I have to order food, and eat outside with people etc. 

I was feeling guilty for eating non-halal meats so I tried to stop eating non-halal meats. It’s been a couple of weeks since I lowered my meat intake to just the halal meat I am able to have cooked at home, and eating vegetarian at other times, and my health issues have become worse; lot of tinnitus, stomach issues, skin problems, lot of gas etc. 

I’m trying to leave the area I live in, once (Insha’Allah) I get an employment in an area where more halal options are there. But till then, can I go back to eating a mix of halal and non-halal meats (no pork) due to health issues? 

Carmine

Q: I’d like to enquire about the permissibility of the consumption of carmine. I have tried to research this matter on the muftionline site but mainly see the answer to avoid it. I’d like clarification on it being a halaal/haraam item thus its permissibility. 

I personally don’t consume it, yet a lot of products contain carmine & sometimes those from Arab countries that bear halaal logos, not finding a direct answer about its permissibility makes it a bit more difficult to warn family members from it’s consumption.