What is the ruling on using products that contain pork fat in their composition?

Question:
The Egyptian newspaper Al-I'tisam, an Islamic newspaper, published an article listing certain types of cheese, toothpaste, cosmetics, and soap, confirming the presence of pork fat in their composition. Does this apply to what is imported here? And what is the ruling on using them?

Answer:
These items imported from abroad, such as cheese and other non-cheese items, chicken, and so on, are a matter of doubt; because it has reached us and been established with us that many companies abroad, in Europe, in America, and elsewhere, use a deceptive method in slaughtering animals, and in making permissible what Allah has forbidden by stunning them or drowning them in hot water, and other things that may occur. It is better to stay away from them and free oneself from them. However, it is not forbidden except for what you know to be so. The default ruling for the slaughter of the People of the Book is that it is lawful, except for what you know where the company that sells it, or brings it to people, or from which it is bought, does a wrong act by slaughtering it in a non-Shari'ah manner. In that case, do not do that, do not buy from them, and it is not lawful. As for ignorance, the default is permissibility, but there is doubt in it. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt" . So one should avoid these things by buying from good, known people, or buying fish if one is in their lands, or something similar, to stay away from danger. One should not slaughter it oneself, nor buy from known companies that slaughter in a halal manner, or substitute this with fish; there is no harm in that. This is what is recommended as a precaution. And if one knows that it came from a company that slaughters in a non-Shari'ah manner, or from a slaughterhouse that slaughters in a non-Shari'ah manner, he does not eat it if he knows that. And as long as he does not know, it is a matter of doubt, and a matter of scrupulousness and staying away from doubt. May Allah grant success to all.