The audience was very attentive and very interested. They expressed their appreciation for IFANCAís efforts and asked many questions. Shoppers wanted to know how to get the local supermarkets to carry more Halal certified food products. Others wanted to know the difference in the use of the terms Zabiha and Halal. A question on the minds of many concerned gelatin and the use of gelatin in many products. A number of questions were raised concerning the appropriateness of cheese and whey, the latter being an ingredient in many products. Is vinegar Halal? The shocker came when a young lad asked about vanilla extract. When informed that vanilla extract is required to contain 35% alcohol (beer has 4-6% and wine has 14-20%), the audience was shocked. What an eye opener!

The program concluded with the audience completing a workshop evaluation form and then sampling some Halal certified products, provided courtesy of Fancy Fruit Corporation and Sunrider International.

The conclusion is this was a very useful and well received program and that IFANCA should conduct more of these types of community programs. Muslims are very interested in the quality and appropriateness of foods they eat and want to be well informed at the grocery store. In St. Louis, it was very clear Halal consumers spend extra shopping hours reading labels. Providing more Halal certified products will allow Halal consumers to reduce their shopping time and give them peace of mind. Our thanks to the Muslim community in St. Louis. Your hospitality and attentiveness is very much appreciated.

If you would like IFANCA to conduct a Halal Food Workshop in your community, please give us a call. We would be happy to visit you.

How many of us like to wake up to the smell and taste of coffee? Or are we the type that prefers tea? Maybe we enjoy a nice cold soft drink on a hot day. It is likely that each of these contains caffeine. Is that a problem?

It is claimed tea was discovered in China in 2737 BC, when some tea leaves fell into a pot of boiling water and the smell was enticing. Coffee traces its origin to Africa in the year 575. And caffeinated soft drinks originated around 1880.

There have been many studies concerning caffeine. In 1958, the US FDA classified caffeine as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS). The American Medical Association (AMA) holds a similar view, with the qualification that consumption of caffeinated beverages be moderate and other lifestyle habits be moderate or appropriate. Of course, moderation is a somewhat personal issue, since people react differently to the effects of caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant and may increase alertness. It is not uncommon for students pulling an ìall nighterî or people working late to indulge in a few caffeinated beverages.

To date, studies have not shown caffeine consumption to have any adverse on conception or pregnant women. Nor have studies shown any connection to cancer. Of course, moderation is always advised.

While abruptly reducing the intake of caffeine may cause headaches and restlessness, there is no evidence that caffeine is addicting. And contrary to what we see in the movies, caffeine will not help someone who is drunk to "sober up". Of course, moderation is always advised.

Adults consume ran average of 200 mg. of caffeine per day while children consumer approximately 38 mg. Per day. Sensitivity to caffeine is an individual thing and those who feel they are sensitive should avoid or limit their caffeine consumption. Caffeine is not retained in the body and the normal cycle is about 4 hours. Tolerance to caffeine is increased with regular consumption, so you may find people consuming more than the average amount with little or no effects. Of course, if caffeine affects your sleep, you should avoid any consumption within 4 hours of bedtime. The typical caffeine content of common beverages is:

In summary, the popularity of caffeinated beverages has led to many studies about the effects of caffeine on the body. This includes studies related to pregnancy, miscarriages, osteoporosis, cancer, breast disease, fertility, blood pressure, heart disease and addiction. None of the studies show any significant adverse effects of caffeine consumption in moderation. Alhamdulillah for Islam, which teaches moderation in food and drink and enjoins what is pure and wholesome and prohibits what is harmful.