COCA COLA: HALAL OR HARAM? 

Not again.... One year its Haram and the next its halal again! What's all this about? Ckeck it out:

The following recipe produces a gallon of syrup very similar to Coca-Cola's:
Mix 2,400 grams of sugar with just enough water to dissolve (high-fructose corn syrup may be substituted for half the sugar). Add 36 grams of caramel, 3.1 grams of caffeine, and 11 grams of phosphoric acid. Extract the cocaine from 1.1 grams of coca leaf (Truxillo growth of coca preferred) with toluol; discard the cocaine extract. Soak the coca leaves and kola nuts (both finely powdered; 0.37 gram of kola nuts) in 22 grams of 20 percent alcohol!
California white wine fortified to 20 percent strength was used as the soaking solution circa 1909, but Coca-Cola may have switched to a simple water/alcohol mixture. After soaking, discard the cola and the kola and add the liquid to the syrup. Add 30 grams of lime juice (a former ingredient, evidently, that Coca-Cola now denies) or a substitute such as a water solution of citric acid and sodium citrate at lime-juice strength. Mix together 0.88 gram of lemon oil, 0.47 gram of orange oil, 0.27 gram of lime oil, 0.20 gram of cassia (Chinese cinnamon) oil, 0.07 gram of nutmeg oil, and if desired, traces of coriander, lavender, and neroli oils, and add to 4.9 grams of 95 percent alcohol. Shake. Add 2.7 grams of water to the alcohol/oil mixture and let stand for twenty-four hours at about 60oF. A cloudy layer will separate. Take off the clear part of the liquid only and add to the syrup. Add 19 grams of glycerin (from vegetable sources, not hog fat, so the drink can be sold to Orthodox Jews and Moslems) and 1.5 grams of vanilla extract. Add water (treated with chlorine) to make 1 gallon of syrup.
Yield (used to flavor carbonated water): 128 6.5 ounce bottles.


Coca-Cola: The Real Thing?
Coke is 99.5% sugar water. water sugar
For color. Without it, Coke would be as clear as 7-Up. caramel
For the kids' hyper kinetic rush. caffeine
Responsible for acidic tang and science-fair projects where Coke digests hamburger. phosphoric acid
Utterly superfluous: Leave out the coca and the kola, and the drink tastes the same. California white wine can be used for the alcohol. coca leaf kola nut 20% alcohol
The Real Thing no longer contains real lime juice. lime juice (or substitute)
Citrus and spice oils, not kola nuts, make Coke taste the way it does. There may be traces of coriander, lavender, and neroli oils, too. lemon oil orange oillime oilcassia oilnutmeg oil95% alcohol
A preservative. glycerin
Slight cream-soda nuance. vanilla extract

The amount of kola in this recipe-or in any cola-is tiny. Some colas are reported to contain none at all. By this recipe, a gallon of cola is made from 0.37 gram of kola nut. But a gallon of 128 fluid ounces, and each ounce can flavor a bottle of finished, carbonated beverage. So the amount of kola nut used in making a bottle of cola drink is about 3 milligrams. That tiny speck is merely soaked in alcohol and then discarded, only the alcohol going into the cola syrup.
Many Coca-Cola drinkers swear that the drink tastes different in various parts of the country. Coke's standard answer is to blame the mineral content of the water used by the bottling plants. (Now that the syrup plants have the option of using corn syrup for part of the sugar, the Coke in regions where they so use corn syrup ought to taste different from-probably not as good as-the Coke where only cane sugar is used.) Where soda fountains still make Coke from syrup, another variable is the "throw"-the amount of carbonated water added to the syrup. Southerners tend to like Coke on the syrupy side.

Is There Cocaine in Coca-Cola?
Coca-Cola was not always alone in its use of coca. There were coca elixirs and beverages before there were colas. Until 1903, Coca-Cola contained the full cocaine content of its coca extract. Since then, Coca-Cola has taken great pains to remove the cocaine from the coca leaves before they go into merchandise no. 5. According to one source, there were sixty-nine imitations of Coca-Cola still containing measurable cocaine in 1909.
One version of the chestnut about putting an aspirin in Coca-Cola says that the cocaine is thus precipitated. (The more usual version holds that the aspirin-Coke mixture acts as a Mickey, the opposite of what would be expected from cocaine.) Of course, the Coca-Cola Company bristles at any suggestion that there might still be cocaine in the drink.

Even before 1903, the amount of cocaine in Coca-Cola was trifling. One analysis put the cocaine content of an ounce of Coca-Cola syrup-in the pre-extraction days-at 0.04 grain (2.6 milligrams).
Extracts from "UTUSAN KONSUMER #298, MARCH 1994" HARAM-Coke contains ALCOHOL, according to book COCA-COLA may contain alcohol. This clearly makes it haram (prohibited for consumption) to Muslims.
CAP stumbled upon this shocking fact while scrutinising the drink's "secret" formula exposed in a highly detailed book published recently.

The author of the book came across the original recipe on a yellowing piece of paper marked "X" in a company archive.
Alcohol was one of the ingredients listed in the recipe.
The discovery of this closely kept formula was reported in the British Sunday Times on August 1 last year.Coca-Cola denies the recipe is genuine. But when the Sunday Times produced a cola based on the formula, it fooled several experts into believing it was "the real thing".

To date, the company has not denied that there is alcohol in the drink.
For more than a century, the makers of Coca-Cola have refused to reveal its contents, even under two judges' order.
In 1977, when the Indian government demanded to know the formula, Coca-Cola withdrew from the country rather than reveal it.
On their secret depends a global turnover of close to a reported £9 bil (RM37 bil). Coca-Cola sells in 185 countries worldwide, including Malaysia.
CAP's check on all Coca-Cola drinks sold here shows: that alcohol is not mentioned on the label at all.
This could well mean that under the guise of secrecy, Muslims could be drinking alcohol without knowing it!
Our study also shows that stripped down to its essentials, Coke is just a "Real Nothing" spiced up with plenty of harmful ingredients.

COCA-COLA, popular soft drink sold here, may contain alcohol, says an informed researched, Mark Pendergrast. A recently published book: by him lists the "secret" century-old formula. Among the ingredients mentioned in the formula is alcohol.This makes the drink haram (prohibited for consumption) to Muslims. But Muslims have no way of knowing this since the label does not mention alcohol at all!The recent Coke revelation has cast a thick shadow of doubt over Coca-Cola's contents. The Quran and the Hadith say that when there is such a doubt, the food is considered haram and must be shunned.Coca-Cola has all these years, kept their formula and process of manufacture a secret. Because such information is withheld, Muslims could be drinking alcohol, something which their religion strictly forbids.Utusan Konsumer brings you the exclusive details.
Coke contains alcohol, according to book
"Citrate Caffein 1 oz
Ext Vanilla 1 oz
Flavouring 2 ½ oz
F. E. Coca 4 oz
Citric Acid 3 oz
Lime Juice 1 Qt
Sugar 30 lbs
Water 2 ½ Gal
Caramel sufficient
Mix Caffeine, Acid and Lime Juice in 1 Qt boiling water. Add vanilla and flavouring when cool.
Flavouring
Oil Orange 80
Oil Lemon 120
Oil Nutmeg 40
Oil Cinnamon 40
Oil Corlander 20
Oil Neroli 40
Alcohol 1 Qt
Let stand for 24 hours."

The above is the secret formula for Coca-Cola, a popular soft drink that sells in 185 countries in the world, including Malaysia.
A best-kept secret for over a century, this sacred formula, said to be the original recipe for Coke, was discovered by author Mark Pendergrast on a yellowing piece of paper marked "X" in a company archive.
His findings, published in a book called For God, Country and Coca-Cola in July last year, has grave implications for consumers, especially Muslims.
Our inspection of the formula given, found alcohol-a substance which is haram (prohibited for consumption) to Muslims.This is a gross violation of over a hundred years of public trust.

The exposure of its sacred formula shows that, under the guise of secrecy, Coca-Cola may be misleading many Muslims into consuming alcohol without knowling it.
By doing this, Coca-Cola has trodden on the religious sensitivity of Muslims.
The Quran and Hadith clearly forbid Muslims from consuming food with doubtful ingredients. A food is considered haram when there is doubt as to its contents (see "What the Quran and Hadith say").

According to an Aisaweek article (20.10.93), members of Indonesia's Council of Ulamas have recently issued what may have seemed a declaration of the obvious: that even a drop of alcohol was forbidden to Muslims.
But Muslims have no way of knowing what exactly that was taking in when they drink Coke because its formula and process of manufacture have until now, remained a secret.
For more that a century, the makers of Coca-Cola have refused to reveal its contents, even under two judges' order.
In 1977, when the Indian government demanded to know the formula, Coca-Cola withdrew from the country rather than reveal it.On their secret depends a global turnover of close to a reported £9 bil (RM37 bil).

Coca-Cola has denied that the recipe is genuine. But when the British Sunday Times (which reported the matter on August 1 last year) produced a cola based on the formula, it fooled several experts into believing it was "the real thing".
The Sunday Times invited 20 experts to sample 6 brands of drinks, among them Coke, Pepsi and Actonola (the coal the paper brewed on the formula found).
Asked to identify Coke, 2 experts correctly picked Coca-Cola, and 3 picked Actonola.
Meanwhile, our research shows that there could be another haram ingredient in Coke, besides alcohol.
The Sunday Times' recipe for Actonola uses glycerin-a clear, thick liquid used as a solvent for oily chemicals, especially flavourings, that are not very soluble in water.

In Pendergrast's book, it was mentioned that an earlier formula for Coke (described as "a reasonably accurate guestimate of the current mixture" by Pendergrast) given in a 1983 book, Big Secrets, by William Poundstone, also uses glycerin.To date, Coca-Cola has not denied that there is glycerin (or alcohol) in the drink.
But if glycerin is present, then it could also be haram to Muslims.

Glycerin is a by-product of oils and fats obtained in the manufacture of soaps and fatty acids.
If the fats are from pig or other animals sources, and the animals has not been slaughtered according to Islamic procedures, the fat (which is later used in food) is haram to Muslims.

The possible presence of alcohol and glycerin in Coke poses another disturbing question:
What other dubious ingredients are there in Coke?
As long as secrecy rules the trade, consumers will never know.
Fraser & Neave (Malaya) Sdn Bhd vice-president and general manager, Lim Teow Wan recently mouthed a home-truth (though he did not intend it so) when he said: "Coca-Cola must be reinterpreted for each new generation" (Star, 25.12.93).
We couldn't agree more.
In the light of these revelations, CAP advises Muslims in Malaysia to be cautious and not to fall for the soft drink's latest advertising theme, "Always Coca-Cola".
If what is revealed by Mark Pendergrast is true, this means that children could be consuming alcohol too. It is a common practice for parents to give Coke to young children.

What the Quran and Hadith say: Doubtful things are haram
"An-Nu'man in Bashir reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "What is lawful is clear and what is unlawful is clear, but between them are certain doubtful things which many people do not recognise. He who guards against doubtful things, keeps his religion and honour blameless. But he who falls into doubtful things, falls into what is unlawful, just as a shepherd who pastures his animals round a preserve will soon pasture them into it." (Bukhari and Muslim)
Muslims should know what they are eating:
"O messengers, eat of what is good and act righteously."
(Al Quran XXII: )
"You who believe, eat of the good things We have provided for you."
(Al Quran II: 172)
(In the case of Coke whose ingredients are a secret, Muslims have no way of knowing whether what they are drinking is good or bad. It is best to abstain from it.)

Coke may breach food laws Legal sources say that the findings of Mark Pendergrast, if established, raises several serious concerns.Most importantly, Coke may then be guilty of the following offences under our food laws.· Alcohol content - Under Regulation 348 of the Food Regulations 1985, a soft drink "shall not contain any added alcohol". · No label on alcohol - The failure to mention on the label at all may be in clear violation of Regulation 11(1)(d) which says that any food which contains added alcohol must state on its label the words, "CONTAINS ALCOHOL", in capital bold-faced lettering which is not smaller than 6 points.

Alcohol in other cola drinks too? The Coke story raises the question of whether other brands of colas too contain alcohol and other dangerous ingredients.Industry sources say this appears likely as they are prepared in the same way, using more or less the same types of ingredients.Avoid all colas and soft drinks.

This article appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Daily, 7-May-1993Coca-Cola. The original recipe for Coca-Cola has been called America's best kept secret. The company says that the formula is in a bank vault, but the author of the new book called For God, Country and Coca-Cola states that he has found it in the company archives. He came across the formula in a packet of papers that belonged to John Pemberton who invented Coca-Cola 107 years ago. The recipe included citrate caffeine, extract of vanilla, seven flavoring oils, fluid extract of coca (cocaine), citric acid, lime juice, sugar, water, caramel and alcohol. Evidently the cocaine was removed in 1903. Coca-Cola continues to dominate the scene after 107 years, and the profits from the sale of it have been enormous.

SOFT DRINKS
Investigative Report .The World's Best-kept Secret. Coca-Cola: Unveiled
Introduction

After a detailed investigation it has been proven beyond any doubt that Coke and other cooldrinks are HARAAM for Muslim consumption.
All of the facts gathered during my investigation are found herewith including overwhelming proof from a previous investigation conducted by the Mujlisul Ulama of South Africa.
This subsequently led to the Mujlisul Ulama declaring COKE HARAAM in the early 80's. The UTUSAN KONSUMER declared it HARAAM in 1984 on a thorough investigation of its own.
COKE was given a court order by the Indian government to reveal its secret recipe but chose to rather pull out of the country than to disclose its covert formula.
Since its inception COKE has ignored two court orders to reveal its true contents.
The original recipe for COKE is at this point in time locked up in a bank vault in the USA.

At any one time only the Head Chemist at Coca Cola knows the true contents of COKE. The formula has been passed down from Head Chemist to his predecessor over the years as the Head Chemists have retired.
From all the proof gathered and put together it is astounding how this product could ever have been declared HALAAL.
I had personally been abstaining for a year as I had previously had doubt and it was therefore better for me to abstain for the sake of TAQWA, but it is now a confirmed certitude that COKE is HARAAM and it is now my Islamic duty to abstain.

The Contents of COKE
The Secret recipe of COKE as per a formulary book that belonged to John Pemberton who invented Coca-Cola 107 years ago. The recipe included citrate caffeine, extract of vanilla, seven flavoring oils, fluid extract of coca (cocaine), citric acid, lime juice, sugar, water, caramel and alcohol. Evidently the cocaine was removed in 1903. Coca-Cola continues to dominate the scene after 107 years, and the profits from the sale of it have been enormous.is as follows:
Merchandise #1 Sugar
Merchandise #2 Caramel
Merchandise #3 Caffeine
Merchandise #4 Phosphoric Acid
Merchandise #5 Coca leaf and Cola nut Extract (20% Alcohol)
Merchandise #6 Was Lime juice, but was incorporated into Merchandise #7X as an oil
Merchandise #7X Flavouring mixture (see below)
Merchandise #8 Vanilla
Merchandise #9 Glycerine, but apparently no longer used
Table: The Secret Recipe of Coca-Cola
The Secret Flavourant Merchandise #7X is made up as follows:
1 oz (28.35 grams) Citrate Caffeine 3 oz (85.05 grams) Citric Acid
1 oz (28.35 grams) Extract Vanilla 1 Qt Lime Juice
2.5 oz (70.88 grams) Flavouring 30 lbs Sugar
4 oz (113.4 grams) F.E.Coco 2.5 gal (11.365 litres) Water
Caramel sufficient
FLAVOURING
80 Oil Orange 40 Oil Cinnamon
120 Oil Lemon 20 Oil Coriander
40 Oil Nutmeg 40 Oil Neroil
1 Qt Alcohol (95%)

DIRECTIONS
Mix Caffeine Acid and Lime Juice 1 Qt. Boiling water add vanilla and flavouring when cool.
Let stand for 24 hours

THE FACTS
1. Vanilla Extract (Not synthetic) is HARAAM (see attached proof)
2. Ethanol is HARAAM (see attached proof)
3. Alcohol is used in the preparation of the secret formula called 7X as part of the flavouring (95% Alcohol) - HARAAM
4. Glycerine that is used in the Formula 7X and also in the main recipe is HARAAM. (NB. Glycerine is claimed to not be used in the main recipe anymore)
5. Alcohol is used in the reparation of the Kola leaf and Kola nut mixture (20% Alcohol) - HARAAM
Recipe for VANILLA EXTRACT:
2 Whole vanilla beans
1 ½ c Vodka or Brandy
½ c Water
1 c Granulated sugar

There are various recipes for Vanilla Extract from different resources but this is the most common recipe. Apart from synthetic Vanilla Extract all recipes for Vanilla Extract contain alcohol, either Brandy or Vodka in most cases.
VANILLA EXTRACT has been overlooked and not been investigated before today, not even by the Mujlisul Ulama or the Utusan Konsumer in their respective investigations.
With regards to ETHANOL below is the following Webster's dictionary definition of ETHANOL:
Main Entry: eth a nol
Prounciation: 'e-th&-"nOl, British also 'E-
Function: noun
Date: 1900

: a colorless volatile flammable liquid C2H5OH that is the INTOXICATING AGENT in liquors and is also used as a solvent - called also ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol
(Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate(R) Dictionary, Tenth Edition)
Almost all cooldrinks manufactured today contain ethanol since ethanol is used as a dissolving media for most flavourants.
COKE and SPARLETTA amongst others have admitted to having used ethanol in their flavouring essence.

The reasoning that Ethanol is not KHAMR as professed by many scholars is pure deception by shaitaan and the kuffaar.
The first declaration made by Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) concerning this matter was that not only is wine prohibited but that the definition of KHAMR extends to any substance which intoxicates, in whatever form or under whatever name it may appear. Thus, for example, beer and similar drinks are HARAAM.
Our beloved Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was once asked about certain drinks made from honey, corn, or barley by the process of fermenting them until they became alcoholic. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), blessed as he was with the best of speech, replied succinctly:

"Every intoxicant is KHAMR and every KHAMR is HARAAM."
And Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) declared from the pulpit of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam): "KHAMR is that which befogs the mind."
From the above it is evident that ETHANOL is beyond any doubt HARAAM despite what our deceived brothers choose to believe.

GLYCERINE which has already been declared Haraam by the Jamiatul Ulama is included in COKE in two forms. It is firstly used in the Vanilla Extract as a means to "fix" the aroma of the flavouring. It is also used in the main recipe as a preservative although there are claims that it is not used any more.
The Flavouring part of Merchandise #7X is made up of 95% ALCOHOL together with Lemon, orange, lime, cassia and nutmeg oils mixed together.
Islam takes an uncompromising stand in prohibiting intoxicants, regardless of whether the amount is little or much. If an individual permitted to take but a single step along this road, other steps follow; he starts walking and then running, and does not stop at any stage. This is why our beloved Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"Of that which intoxicates in a large amount, a small amount is HARAAM."
And again:
"If a bucketful intoxicates, a sip of it is HARAAM."

In connection with alcohol, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) cursed ten categories of people saying:
"Truly, Allah has cursed KHAMR and has cursed the one who produces it, the one for whom it is produced, the one who drinks it, the one who serves it, the one who carries it, the one for whom it is carried, the one who sells it, the one who earns from the sale of it, the one who buys it, and the one for whom it is bought."
When the above verse of Surah al-Maaidah was revealed, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) announced:
"Truly, Allah has prohibited KHAMR. Therefore, whoever hears this verse and possesses some of this substance should neither drink it nor sell it."
The narrator of the Hadith says: "The people brought forth whatever they possessed of it and poured it out in the streets of Madinah."

Islam's stand in prohibiting alcohol and blocking all avenues which lead to drinking is very clear and unequivocal.
The Arab's during the period of jaahiliyyah were very fond of wine and drinking parties. To eradicate this pervasive evil from society, Allah Ta'ala adopted a wise course of education and training, prohibiting it in measured stages. First, He made it clear to them that the harm of drinking wine is greater than its benefit; next, He told them not to come to Salaat while intoxicated; and finally, He revealed the verse in Surah al-Maaidah which prohibited it totally and decisively:
"O you who believe! Truly, intoxicants and gambling and divination by arrows are an abomination of shaitaans' doing; avoid it in order that you may be successful. Assuredly shaitaan desires to sow enmity and hatred among you with intoxicants and gambling, and to hinder you from remembrance of Allah and from Salaat. Will you not then desist?"
The response of the Muslims to these verses was remarkable indeed. At the time some people were drinking, with partly-filled cups in their hands. As soon as they heard someone announcing: "Wine has indeed been prohibited.", they poured the remaining drinks upon the ground and broke the big clay pots in which other drinks were being fermented.
May Allah give us the strength to give up something we love and enjoy, something that has become a part of our daily life. May Allah give us the strength to give it up just as the Muslims of those times gave up wine and drinking parties solely for the pleasure of Allah.

I wish to stress that mere academic knowledge of the HALAAL and HARAAM, and of the limits of these is not sufficient. Although the major sins and principle obligations are known to every Muslim, nonetheless, we find a great many of them indulging in these sins and neglecting those obligations, and rushing toward the Fire with their eyes wide open.
If the Muslim is well-versed in the knowledge of his religion and its Shariah, and at the same time possesses a fully alert conscience which safeguards the limits so that they cannot be overstepped, he is indeed rich in all goodness. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) spoke the truth when he said:
"When Allah intends good for a person, He makes his own soul a watcher over him."

Just as Islam has prohibited whatever leads toward the HARAAM, it has also prohibited resorting to technical legalities in order to do what is HARAAM by devious means and excuses inspired by shaitaan. It has reprimanded the Jews for resorting to such practices. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"Do not do what the Jews did in order to (technically) leaglise Allah's prohibitions by flimsy excuses."
This is a reference to the fact that Allah had prohibited the Jews to hunt on the Sabbath (Saturday). To get around this prohibition they would dig ditches on Friday so that the fish would fall into them on Saturday, to be caught on Sunday. Those who resort to rationalisations to justify their actions consider such practices to be permissible, but the jurists of Islam consider them HARAAM, since Allah's purpose was to prevent them from hunting on the Sabbath, whether by direct or indirect means.

Calling a HARAAM thing by a name other than its own or changing its form while retaining its essence is a devious tactic, since obviously a change of name or of form is of no consequence as long as thing and essence remain unchanged. Thus, when some people invent new terms in order to deal in usury or to consume alcohol, the sin of dealing in usury and drinking remains. As we read in the collections of Ahadith
"A group of people will make peoples' intoxication HALAAL by giving it other names.
A time will come when people will devour usury, calling it "trade"."
And among the strange phenomena of our time is that people term obscene dance "art", liquor "preservatives", and usury "interest".
In all its legislation and moral injunctions, Islam lays great stress on nobility of feelings, loftiness of aims, and purity of intentions. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"Actions will be judged by intentions, and everyone will be recompensed according to what he intended."

I conclude with the following supplication, which has come to us from the early Muslims:
O Allah, make us independent of HARAAM with HALAAL and of disobedience to You with obedience to You.
All praise is for Allah Ta'ala, Who guided us to this; had He not given us guidance, we could not have been guided.

All information mentioned in this investigative report was checked and re-checked via the different sources available in order to verify the authenticity and accuracy of the information. The information is accurate to the best of my knowledge. Being only human, I stand to be corrected on any error made on any issue discussed.