Answer: With respect to the drink 'red bull', the company has stated that it is a non alcoholic drink and it has been certified by a reputable Halal certifying body. However, it is the opinion of the 'Muslim consumer group' that it is not permissible to consume. Their reason, according to their statement is that 'the company did not provide the ethyl alcohol content less than 0.05% rather than zero.' It means the solvent used in artificial flavors is ethyl alcohol because the rest of ingredients in the red bull soft drinks do not provide any source for alcohol, so where this minute amount comes from, it is definitely contributed by artificial flavor in the energy drinks.

The above is the reason given by the Muslim consumer group which shows that they assume that a certain amount of alcohol is used in the drink, which in reality cannot be proven. While this may be their position based on assumption, the company has clearly stated that there is no alcohol present in their drink and that all of its ingredients are produced by pharmaceutical companies.

The company has also stated that the drink does not contain animal products or any substance derived from animals. Hence the taurine is a purely synthetic substance. The company has stated that the drink has been certified by the Muslim Judicial Council of Cape Town, South Africa, who before issuing the certificate visited and inspected the production site as well as all ingredients used in the drink.

In view of this, our opinion in this matter is that the drink will be permissible to consume since there is no proof of any unlawful ingredient.

And Allah knows best.
Mufti Waseem Khan