Cross-contamination in restaurants, fast-food joints, etc.
Question
I went to dunkin donuts today and ordered a bagel with cream cheese. The worker held bacon with her hands with gloves on and she made my sandwich without changing her gloves. Is it permissible for me to eat my bagel because she held it with the gloves which held bacon?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
A Muslim should exercise extreme precaution in consuming Halal. He should never eat in places where Haram is served due to the possibility of cross contamination. If bacon is served in Dunkin Donuts, the possibility of cross contamination in the very preparation of the cheese bagel through the use of utensils etc. cannot be ruled out. The issue is not only about the worker holding the bagel with the same gloves she had the bacon.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
- Checked & approved by
- Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Fatawa SA is an independent, read-only index of fatawa already published by Jamiatul Ulama KZN. It is not a fatwa service. For your own situation, ask the issuing Darul Ifta directly.