IFANCA Halal- Certified ZonePerfect Nutrition Bars Support Public Schools

Underway right now, and continuing through the end of 2009, consumers of the IFANCA halal-certified ZonePerfect Nutrition Bars can support a campaign to give more children access to creativity and music in public schools. Consumers enter their UPC codes from their ZonePerfect Nutrition Bars online at www.ZonePerfect.com. With every UPC code entered from a single bar, Abbott, the makers of ZonePerfect will donate $0.05 and for every multi-pack carton UPC code, $0.50 will be donated to The VH1 Save The Music Foundation, for a total donation of $120,000. Each code serves as an automatic sweepstakes entry to ZonePerfect's Win a Trip for Two to The 2009 VH1 SaveTthe Music Foundation Gala in New York City. The ZonePerfect brand is also a returning sponsor of the 2009 South by Southwest Festivals and Conferences – a 23-year-old event highlighting the latest in interactive media technology, independent filmmaking and more than 1,800 musical acts of all genres from around the globe on more than 80 stages throughout downtown Austin. It will also launch its inaugural sponsorship of Film Independent's 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival in June. Now in its 15th year, the Los Angeles Film Festival is recognized as a world-class event, providing the movie-loving public with access to filmmakers, scholars, critics, film industry professionals and emerging talent from around the world.

"An Ounce Of Prevention Is Worth A Pound Of Cure" - Ben Franklin

One of the most important ways to keep disease at bay is by getting vaccinated early in life. Once common in the U.S., cases of mumps, tetanus, Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib), measles, polio, diphtheria, rubella (German measles) and pertussis (whooping cough), have decreased considerably thanks to vaccinations received in childhood.

A few years ago, rumors spread that the vaccines being given to Muslim children were spiked with ingredients that were harmful. As a result, Muslim parents grew alarmed and many even decided not to have their children vaccinated. For companies it is important to assure Muslims that vaccines used are in fact safe and halal.

With Malaysia's demand for halal certificated vaccines, Merck and Co obtained Halal Certification in 2006, for their product GARDASIL® Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus (Types 6, 11, 16, 18) Recombinant Vaccine. This particular vaccine is for women for protection against cervical cancer and it does so by addressing against 4 types of human papillomavirus. The best way to know if you qualify for such a vaccine is to consult your doctor.

In 2008, Wyeth Biotech whose products include the best selling Adult Vitamin: Centrum®, the leading calcium supplement: Caltrate®, and the number one Antidepressant: Efexor XR®, received halal certification for their leading vaccine Prevenar® Pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine. However the other products mentioned above are not halal certified.

Note: All letters have been edited for clarity and brevity. Answers by Haider Khattak, Director, IFANCA Canada

Letter: Salam, I know that halal food can be contaminated with pork, but can it also be contaminated with non-halal meat, i.e. non-halal chicken, beef etc? - Nur Shahid, Singapore

IFANCA Response: Dear Nur Shahid, Wa alaikum assalaamu wa rahmatullah. The answer is yes, halal food can be contaminated with non-halal meat. Halal food and/or Zabiha halal meat must always be separated to avoid cross contamination.

Letter: Is there a fish oil product that is halal? I'd appreciate your help in trying to locate it. - Suyam, USA

IFANCA Response: Dear Suyam, Fish oil is halal. However, if fish oil is encapsulated as a softgel nutritional supplement then you need to check other critical ingredients as well, for instance gelatin. Gelatin is doubtful (Mashbooh) as it can be derived from pork, bovine and fish.

Letter: Salam, Is resveratrol halal or haram? Thank you for helping me. - Hafrul, Malaysia

IFANCA Response: Dear Hafrul, Wa alaikum assalaamu wa rahmatullah. Resveratrol refers to a phytochemical produced naturally by several plants when under attack by pathogens such as bacteria or fungi. Resveratrol is also produced by chemical synthesis and is sold as a nutritional supplement derived from Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica). The Islamic status of resveratrol is Halal.

Are the followng items halal, haram or questionable?

Items:

1. Whey, which is the portion of the milk remaining after coagulation and removal of the curd
2. Rennet, which is a milk coagulant used primarily in cheese-making
3. Saccharine, which is a non-nutritive synthetic sweetener that is 300 to 400 times sweeter than sugar
4. Glycerin, which is a food chemical
5. Pectin, which is a water-soluble plant gum obtained from citrus peel
6. Lard, which is rendered fat from pigs and hogs

1. Whey is Questionable. Due to the undetermined source of enzyme used to separate the whey from milk. If the enzyme is microbial then it is halal.
2. Rennet is Questionable. This can be of animal or microbial origin.
3. Saccharine is Halal.
4. Glycerin is Questionable. This can be of animal or vegetable origin.
5. Pectin is Halal.
6. Lard is Haram. Pigs and pork products are haram.

TIME Magazine Features Article on Halal, Burgeoning Buying Power of Muslims

Khalfan Mohammed, writes Carla Powers in TIME Magazine, has traded holidays in hotels with loud discos, drunken guests and women in bikini's for a stay at a Dubai-based hotel catering to Muslim travelers, where Islamic customs are respected and mini-bars are stocked only with non-alcoholic beverages. It is all part of a larger trend that is bolstered by, "the world's 1.6 billion Muslims (who) are younger and, in some places at least, richer than ever." An excerpt: "…The halal food market has exploded in the past decade and is now worth an estimated $632 billion annually… That's about 16% of the entire global food industry. Throw in the fast-growing Islam-friendly finance sector and the myriad other products and services — cosmetics, real estate, hotels, fashion, insurance — that comply with Islamic law and the teachings of the Quran, and the sector is worth well over $1 trillion a year." Read the entire story here.