South Africa: ABI still awaits Islamic jurists' decision on CO2 from beer

A panel of Islamic jurists will investigate the implications for Muslim consumers of a decision by SAB to use carbon dioxide (CO2) derived from beer production in soft drinks bottled by subsidiary ABI, according to Business Report, March 22.

This comes after SAB, the local arm of beer giant SABMiller, announced this week that it would invest R100 million in new CO2 capacity due to recent severe shortages of the gas. The facility will start operating in October.

The facility would purify CO2 produced as a by-product of the brewing process and use it to carbonate the Coca-Cola brands ABI manufactures, bottles and distributes, including Coke, Fanta and Sprite.

Moulana Abdul Wahab Wookay, the chief executive of the National Independent Halaal Trust (NIHT), said: "The NIHT has been informed by SAB of the plans but we would have to consult more widely and a panel of muftis [Islamic jurists] would need to investigate further."

In South Africa halaal certification is conducted by several organisations including the NIHT, the Muslim Judicial Council Halaal Trust and the Islamic Council of SA.

These organisations are party to the National Halaal Forum mandated to draw up a uniform set of halaal standards for South Africa.

Muslims are prohibited from consuming, among other things, alcoholic beverages and pork products.

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