Are all processed foods haram?

format_quote Originally Posted by Amor101

All over facebook and internet there is a list of so many ingredients that they say contain port and thus are haram.
Here for example: https://www.soundvision.com/article/...od-ingredients

It seems all processed foods contain these ingredients. I am thinking maybe it is like the 1% of alcohol that becomes halal.
Can anyone help?

Asalaamu Alaikum. Yes there are many ingredients in processed foods which are not permissable but as long as you look for the Vegetarean and Vegan sign and ensure there is no alcohol derived from grapes or dates and then it is fine inshaAllah. Otherwise if you are doubtful about a certain processed food then just keep away from it.

With regards to products labelled as Vegetarian and/or vegan:

"A product which is 'suitable for vegetarians' should be free of animal sources as a rule, so only the alcohol content need be checked.

On the other hand if a product does not have the 'Suitable for Vegetarians' emblem, this does not automatically disqualify it for Muslim consumption. Ingredients like fish, and even battery eggs (according the Vegetarian Society, battery eggs are unsuitable) may make the product unsuitable for a vegetarian diet but of course we know that these are suitable for Muslims."

Source: http://www.foodguide.org.uk/?page=viewquestion&id=15

With regards to alcohol content which is normally used as a carrier in food a and drinks:

"Principally if the alcohol is extracted from grapes or dates it is not permissible. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, "Khamr (wine) is from these two trees, dates and grapes." (Mishkãt p. 317). Furthermore, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, 'Alcohol itself is prohibited and intoxication in every other beverage.' (Hidaaya vol. 4 p. 497).

However, if the alcohol in foods is not from dates or grape extract but from, for example, ethanol which is fermented from sugar cane mollasses and does not intoxicate, then it is permissible.

Source: http://askimam.org/public/question_detail/6.html

In general we should try to keep away from processed foods as much as possible because of the addition of many harmful cancer causing chemicals and preservatives. Even "low fat" is a deception. The majority of our diet should consist of firstly Vegetables, fruit, wholegrains and if we can organic foods as well as grass fed halal meat. We should consume predominantly that which is "least" processed and in its natural state.