Sugar alcohol

[Ruhi_Rose]

As-Salam Alaykum all.  How many of you would know if sugar alcohol is Halal or Haram?  The issue propped up from glycerin.  I often use pure or rosewater glycerin as a moisturizer for myself.  Though summer is approaching, my baby daughter's skin and particularly her lips still feel dry and chapped.  Since the last one week I've been using glycerin on her too as I prefer it to those chemcial based skin lubricants.  However, a relative of mine mentioned that glycerin contains "sugar alcohol" but she too didn't know what exactly that is.  Is it something similar to regular alcohol?  I hope not for then I'll stop using it, and certainly not on the lips.  Please try ta hurry with the feedback folks    Me waiting 

[Zainab_M]

Walaikum Salaam dear sis.   Not to worry.  Sugar alcohol is not at all the usual regular alcohol.   They just share a similar name but a completely different chemical structure.  Regular alcohol contains ethanol while sugar alcohol does not.  Sugar alcohols, also known as polyols, are ingredients used as sweeteners and thickening agents. They occur naturally in foods and come from plant products such as fruits and berries. As a sugar substitute, they provide fewer calories than regular sugar.  They are safe for diabetics and not injurious for the teeth like common sugar.  Sugar alcohols are not commonly used in home cooked foods at our kitchens, but are found in many processed or commercial foods. Food products labeled "sugar-free" including hard candies, cookies, chewing gums, soft drinks and throat lozenges often consist of sugar alcohols. They are sometimes used in toothpaste and mouthwash too.

Sugar Alcohols are not produced using the alcoholic fermentation process in the way that the usual alcoholic beverages such as beer or wine are produced. Nor are they distilled in the way that gin, vodka or whiskey are. And as I mentioned, nor do they contain the alcohol known as ethanol (ethyl alcohol), which is the type of alcohol that is present in all the alcoholic drinks mentioned above.

Here is a list of some popular sugar alcohols so you can identify them when you look at a nutrition label:

    Erythritol
    Maltitol
    Hydrogenated starch hydrolysates
    Isomalt
    Lactitol
    Mannitol
    Sorbitol
    Xylitol


The only downside of sugar alcohol is that too much consumption can sometimes cause slight diarrhea in some people.  That's about all.  Sugar alcohol is allowed to be sold in all Muslim countries including Saudi Arabia.  It's definitely Halal and you can use it on your lil baby daughter's lips as well    Just a suggestion on that.  Instead of using pure glycerine, mix it with a bit of water.  That way it acts as a better moisturizer .. so I've heard.

InshAllah, hope the little one is doing well 

[Ruhi_Rose]

Oh thanks a billion my sis!  Very, very informative and a huge relief for me!   

Professionals sometimes give misleading titles to ingredients and it results in a bundle of confusion.   I recall, in the past I was similarly perplexed on the label "chocolate liquor" and after a careful search discovered it contains no liquor and that "chocolate liquor" is simply the terms used for cocoa solids and cocoa butter obtained from cocoa beans.

Yeah, she's doing fine and getting naughtier by the day     SubhanAllah.  I'll try your suggestion, mixing glycerin with a drop or two of water, InshAllah. 

Thanks again sis. 

[N. Truth Seeker]

Walaiykum Salam.  Very well summarized Sister Zeynab.  Your assessment is totally correct.  Glycerin is 100% Halal for both adults and children.  Good news for you Sister Ruhi 

after a careful search discovered it contains no liquor and that "chocolate liquor" is simply the terms used for cocoa solids and cocoa butter obtained from cocoa beans.
 

Yes, chocolate "liquor" does not contain alcohol.  But always read the label on chocolate boxes carefully to check the spelling.  If it says "chocolate liquor" then it's safe and Halal, no alcohol.  But if it says "chocolate liqueur" then it does contain alcohol.  The term "liqueur" indicates alcohol, such as wine or other alcoholic fillings inside assorted boxed chocolates.  That is Haram and needs to be completely avoided.

[Ruhi_Rose]

.......
 If it says "chocolate liquor" then it's safe and Halal, no alcohol.  But if it says "chocolate liqueur" then it does contain alcohol.  The term "liqueur" indicates alcohol, such as wine or other alcoholic fillings inside assorted boxed chocolates.  ..........

O really ?!   Thanks for informing brother.  So far I've never come across that spelling.  I guess that kind of assorted chocolates containing alcohol are usually manufactured by some brand name companies sold in boxes.  We always buy chocolate bars as they're better confirmed as Halal.  But thanks again.  What you mentioned is something to remember.

[N. Truth Seeker]

It's difficult to trust any non-Muslim company these days.  Haram eating is so rampant with them that their factory premises are usually contaminated with residues of Haram items.  And marketing of their products has become such a vital issue with them, that they are getting thoroughly careless with time.  Two weeks ago, testing in Malaysian laboratories discovered pork DNA in two or three cadbury chocolate bars.  Subsequently they got very worried, boycotted cadbury completely and recalled & trashed all cadbury chocolate bars. Then a couple of days ago, they carried out tests of several more bars but they were found pork free.  But they are still wary and cannot trust cadbury products.  The ministry of health in Malaysia has said that they will continue the boycott until the test of those two or three contaminated bars are proven wrong. 

[Ruhi_Rose]

Oh dear!  I didn't know this.  So is it okay to have Cadbury stuff here in North America?  If they don't care about keeping it Halal for Muslim countries, what would they care here?

[N. Truth Seeker]

Yes you're right, if such blunders can happen in Muslim countries then in non-Muslim countries it's far more likely.  In places like USA, Canada, UK, Europe and Australia who will demand that chocolate bars be sent for testing to confirm they're free of pork DNA?  The mainstream in these countries are themselves pork eaters, so what will it matter to them?  And it's not just chocolates, it's all products like cereals, juices, canned vegetables, cookies etc. etc.  The Canadian Halal Food website says that try to find a kosher sign on whichever product you want to buy.  That would to some extent confirm that there are not tainted with pork and other animal products.  But kosher signs are more commonly found in US products.  In Canada, Europe and Australia most products don't have kosher signs.  In chocolate bars I haven't so far observed any kosher sign.  They put a green check mark on Nestle chocolate bars like Aero and Kit-kat but that's to indicate that they are made of natural products.  I don't think it guarantees that they're free from contamination of animal products.  Green check marks are also on other product packages which indicate free of peanuts, tree nuts and eggs for the purpose of allergy .. in case someone is allergic.  Again no guarantee of being animal product or pork free.

After this grim discovery in Malaysia, I would suggest keep away from Cadbury.  I know it's difficult in household with kids.  They want chocolates and candies and it really feels bad refusing them.  I suppose stick to only kit-kat and Aero.  Maybe the green check mark might keep it safe from getting tainted.  Just pray to Allah that it's clean each time you buy them for the kids.  What else can one do?  These kuffar countries are just not bothered about Halal and Haram.  They don't even have the concept of it. 

[Zainab_M]

I read about Cadbury too.  Very worrisome.  I've stopped buying it.  I think brother TS is right.  Stick to Nestle.   Since they're particular about using ingredients from natural sources, they might also care to keep it safe from other contaminations.  InshAllah. 

[Ruhi_Rose]

Thanks brother and sis.  I'll mention this to others in my family as well.  Really never knew about it.   I'm only worried for the kids.  It's very hard to keep them away from chocolates.   Like you said, we'll be on the look out for Nestle only.