Halal Food and Metrology: Ethyl Alcohol Contents of Beverages

In this study, ethyl alcohol contents of different kinds of beverages, vinegars, vegetables and fruits collected from Turkish markets were investigated using HS-GC-FID method. While the ethanol contents of fruits, vinegars and beverages were found to vary between 0.32x10 -4-0.35% (w/w), apple vinegar and concentrated orange syrup were determined to contain as high as 0.44 and 0.68 % (w/w) ethanol, respectively. The grape juice (called as “şıra” in Turkish), acquired from a restaurant in Istanbul, consisted of 2.11% ethanol, and its level reached to 5.60 % in 10 days. As these findings are very critical for Muslim consumers and for the Helal Community, there is an urgent need to survey these kinds of products in the market.