Muslim council approves soft drinks after tests

Soft drinks companies may consider new labelling for their products after two leading brands were today declared fit for Muslims to consume after five months of tests.

The UK Muslim Law (Shariah) Council has issued a ruling, or fatwa, to confirm that Lucozade and Ribena do not contravene Islamic law, following concerns about ingredients in both products.

Fears had been raised about the use of traces of alcohol and gelatin, derived from pigs, in the manufacture of the refreshments and many shopkeepers last year dumped stocks of both brands in response.

The British Soft Drinks Association said that though it will not propose a new labelling policy, companies may decide to mark their products halal, or clean under Islamic law, to prevent any future confusion.

A spokesman said: “Soft drinks are non-alcoholic, we welcome this confirmation and hope that it can reassure those consumers who were concerned.

“We will not call for new industry-wide labelling, but some companies may feel it would benefit them.”

GlaxoSmithKline, which manufactures Ribena and Lucozade, said it had considered the idea of new labelling, but will instead provide details of the tests to any concerned consumers.

Dr Zaki Badawi, of the Muslim Law Council, was called by the firm to decide if the use of 0.01% of ethyl alcohol in Lucozade breached Islamic law.

Similar amounts of alcohol are used in many soft drinks as an agent to carry flavours.

A company spokeswoman said: “This concentration is so low that it can have no intoxicating effect.

“By comparison, foods like fruit juices and bread, which are commonly consumed, can also contain the same or higher trace amounts of alcohol due to natural fermentation.”

The firm confirmed it has also stopped using gelatin, which had been employed in the production of a blackcurrant and cranberry flavour of Ribena.

Mr Badawi said: “I see no harm in consuming Ribena and Lucozade which contain traces of ethyl alcohol and animal ingredients that do not bear their original qualities and do not change the taste, colour or smell of the product.

“I, however, urge the company to pursue research to find alternative material in order to allay the conscience of Muslims who might be worried.”