Fatwa ID: 02440

Answered by: Mufti Muhammad Adnan

Question:

I am living in Australia and need a confirmation on Arnotts biscuits especially their 2 popular biscuits, i.e. Scotch fingers and TimTam. Arnott's is one of the largest selling brand for making variety of biscuits in Australia and more than 95% monopoly in large stores. The website of the company is https://www.arnotts.com.au.

Answer

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

From the information you have provided, Timtam original contain cochineal which is derived from insects and is not suitable for a halal diet. Scotch finger original and scotch finger chocolate have nothing in the ingredients provided that is haram. In these circumstances where a company changes its ingredients regularly, one must check the ingredients regularly as well.

Cochineal products are put into the section of haram products on the website below which is under the guidance of Hadhrat Mufti Yusuf Sacha Sahib (may Allah Ta’ala protect him). http://www.foodguide.org.uk/index.php?page=viewquestion&id=279

Only Allah Knows Best

Written by Mufti Muhammad Adnan

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham