Doubtful Foods & Drinks

Vanilla extract

Q: To clarify if a product has vanilla extract/flavouring is it necessary to find out (before eating) if the vanilla extract is from dates or grapes? (GMWA have yet to come across flavourings sourced from dates and grapes in the UK market.)

Vanilla extract

Q: I wanted to ask some chocolates contain vanilla extract and vanilla extract has to be preserved with alcohol so if a chocolate bar has vanilla extract is it halaal?

Soft drinks

Q: What is the ruling of soft drinks? The majlis states haraam and they quote fiqh kitaabs. Sanha states halaal and they quote fiqh kitaabs. What is your opinion and fatwa on soft drinks from fiqh? Please explain in detail with proofs. I request an answer by the 14th of November please.

Imported food products that have been declared Halaal in their country of origin

Q: Can one consume imported food products that have been declared Halaal in their country of origin - by the Ulama of that respective country? Many jelly sweets are available on the market. Such sweets are often produced in Indonesia, Malaysia or Turkey. A fair number of products from these countries have the word ‘Halaal’ written on the  packaging in Arabic. No logo nor name of the Halaal authorizing bodies in the respective country are mentioned.