What is the ruling on eating foods and creams containing gelatin or fats, especially sweets and chocolates, when their source in Europe is unknown?

Gelatin extracted from an animal that is permissible to eat after its ritual slaughter (dhakāt) is permissible. As for gelatin extracted from an impure animal or a carcass, its use is permissible if it has transformed into another substance through processing; otherwise, it remains impure and forbidden. If its source or condition is unknown, the default ruling is permissibility due to widespread affliction (umum al-balwa) and the unknown origin.

When the manufacturer lists vague ingredients such as "animal fats" without specifying their source, the product should be avoided due to doubt. If the ingredients are not listed, it is preferable to avoid the product out of piety and caution, unless certainty or strong suspicion of its impermissibility is attained. When there is conflicting information regarding the source of ingredients, caution must be exercised, and the product should be avoided, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt." And the jurisprudential rule states: "When the permissible and the forbidden are combined, the forbidden prevails." The ruling on using gelatin in creams and ointments is no different from its ruling in food.