ruling on minute amounts of alcohol used in flavors.

**adidas** · 09-05-2006, 09:28 PM

OK, so here's the deal: I was (accidentally) browsing this ice cream site (Breyers, to be exact) when I came across the FAQ section. There was a question about whether the natural flavors in the ice cream contained alcohol, and the answer was that yes, most natural flavors do contain alcohol as a critical component, something something. The flavor usage rate is typically 0.2-0.4%. I don't know too much about food science to know what that means, but I understand it means that there is some alcohol in the ice cream.

The question is, does alcohol in such a minute quantity count as haram? Second, if one does have food which contains such, what should one do with it? I know I wouldn't buy it again but what to do with the ice cream in the freezer? I dunno, I'd feel really bad about throwing a bunch of half-used cartons in the trash can... But nor can I hand them over to anyone else, can I, considering how they're open.

help!!
jazaks.

For reference, here are the exact words from Breyers:

Question
Do your "natural flavors" contain alcohol?

Answer
Almost all "natural flavors" such as those used in Breyers has alcohol as a critical component of the liquid which contains the flavor compounds. However, keep in mind the flavor usage rate is typically 0.2-0.4%. This would mean an entire 56 oz. package would contain very little alcohol and a single scoop would contain even less.

**salman** · 09-05-2006, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by adidas

OK, so here's the deal: I was (accidentally) browsing this ice cream site (Breyers, to be exact) when I came across the FAQ section. There was a question about whether the natural flavors in the ice cream contained alcohol, and the answer was that yes, most natural flavors do contain alcohol as a critical component, something something. The flavor usage rate is typically 0.2-0.4%. I don't know too much about food science to know what that means, but I understand it means that there is some alcohol in the ice cream.

The question is, does alcohol in such a minute quantity count as haram? Second, if one does have food which contains such, what should one do with it? I know I wouldn't buy it again but what to do with the ice cream in the freezer? I dunno, I'd feel really bad about throwing a bunch of half-used cartons in the trash can... But nor can I hand them over to anyone else, can I, considering how they're open.

help!!
jazaks.

For reference, here are the exact words from Breyers:

Salamu 'Alaykum

Precaution would dictate not consuming it.

However, if the alcohol is not derived from grapes, as khamr is (which is filthy by ijma'), but is synthetic then the position of many leading fuqaha, including those of the subcontinent such as Mufti Mahmud 'Uthmani, is that it would permissible to consume, provided it is not used as an intoxicant, or does not intoxicate, or in the manner that intoxicants are used, and also that it not be used in vain (lahw).

Whether Ice cream falls into lahw is another issue which I am ignorant of.

Wasalam

**ridhwan** · 10-05-2006, 02:41 AM

All products that contain any level of ethanol as a solvent have been declared as 'carrier', even if this level is extremely low. The level present in all the products using ethanol as a carrier will not be significant - it is comparable with the level of ethanol that may naturally be found in fruit juice.

All products that contain a significant level of ethanol, due to this being deliberately present from an ingredient, are declared as 'Added'. All products with 'Added' in the alcohol status are expressly forbidden.

Products which use a carrier are permissable. Alcohol used as carriers are common food industry techniques and are permissible due to necessity on condition that they do not intoxicate i.e. negligible (trace) amounts of alcohol are present

See: http://www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2/

A.) If the alcohol is not from grapes or dates extract, and is synthetic, then it will not be impure. The food having such alcohol will be halal.

And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Q.) In one of your answers you said that coke had alcohol and it was halal because it did not come from dates or grapes. Is it then true to say if the same kind of alcohol is found in sweets or in food is it still permissible to eat the food?

A.) Yes

And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai

**adidas** · 10-05-2006, 05:09 AM

ahh I see. jazaks for the info.
well I suppose if it's "natural" flavors, it probably isn't "synthetic" alcohol, yeah?

so I guess I should say goodbye to it? but it seems so cruel to throw away food you were eating just a few days ago.

khair.

**salman** · 10-05-2006, 05:25 AM

Originally Posted by adidas

ahh I see. jazaks for the info.
well I suppose if it's "natural" flavors, it probably isn't "synthetic" alcohol, yeah?

so I guess I should say goodbye to it? but it seems so cruel to throw away food you were eating just a few days ago.

khair.

You should email them and find out if they use synthetic or grape/date extract.

Natural flavors is a deceptive term... really.

**ridhwan** · 10-05-2006, 11:37 AM

I came across -

http://www.jamiaislamia.org/halalharam.htm
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/9987/halal.htm

- stating that Breyers Ice Cream is Halaal but it appears that the list was issued a while back and hasn't been updated. It's best to double check with a reliable halaal food guide source in case there has been any changes. However it is more than likely that the list is valid and it ( Breyers Ice Cream ) is still good for consumption.

Also see:

http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3569
http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/show...61&postcount=4

You could follow up the matter with Maulana Ziad ( eat-halal guy ) as he may have some updated info.

Wallahu Aalam

**adidas** · 10-05-2006, 09:16 PM

hmmm ok. so i called breyers:

"there's no alcohol in the flavoring. it might be used in vanilla though. but not in the flavors."
but your website says there is.
"it does? well i'll have to check that. but there isn't alcohol in there."
so what type of alcohol is used in vanilla? is it from natural sources or is it synthetic?
"oh it's synthetic. ok? bye."

:S i'm not sure if that lady is a trustworthy source.

I emailed them, too, so let's hope someone else there is more informed.

Originally Posted by ridhwan

I came across -

http://www.jamiaislamia.org/halalharam.htm
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/9987/halal.htm

- stating that Breyers Ice Cream is Halaal but it appears that the list was issued a while back and hasn't been updated. It's best to double check with a reliable halaal food guide source in case there has been any changes. However it is more than likely that the list is valid and it ( Breyers Ice Cream ) is still good for consumption.

yeah, i've always known breyers is ok, too.

jazakallah for all the help!