الجواب وبالله التوفيق

Respected Brother,

As-Salām ‘Alaykum Warahmatullāh Wabarakātuh

We refer to your email dated May 04, 2011. 

After reviewing the statements of Dart Company, we conclude that their containers are doubtful (mushtaba) and Muslim consumers should avoid using these cups. The reasons for it being doubtful (mushtaba) are following:

1. In the releasing agent that allows the container to be released from the molds, zinc stearate is used that is derived from beef tallow. Even if the releasing agent has other permissible ingredients, but due to it containing beef tallow, the entire releasing agent will be considered as impure. It is similar to a drop of urine falling into a tub of water. The entire water will be ruled as impure due to that one drop.
2. The company states that according to their calculations, only a very minute amount can migrate into the food. Even if these calculations are accepted, still too if a minute amount of impurity migrates into food, it still will be classified as impermissible.
3. The company states that there is a possibility of contamination of beef tallow and pork fat from their supplier of zinc stearate.

Our ruling is that Dart Company products are doubtful (mushtaba), as we do not have enough information on the process and also on whether or not metamorphosis takes place in the releasing agent.

In a narration of the Prophet (SAW), we are advised to abstain from doubtful items.

عن النعمان بن بشير، قال سمعته يقول: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، يقول وأهوى النعمان بإصبعيه إلى أذنيه  إن الحلال بين، وإن الحرام بين، وبينهما مشتبهات لا يعلمهن كثير من الناس، فمن اتقى الشبهات استبرأ لدينه، وعرضه، ومن وقع في الشبهات وقع في الحرام، كالراعي يرعى حول الحمى، يوشك أن يرتع فيه، ألا وإن لكل ملك حمى، ألا وإن حمى الله محارمه، ألا وإن في الجسد مضغة، إذا صلحت، صلح الجسد كله، وإذا فسدت، فسد الجسد كله، ألا وهي القلب –صحيح مسلم