We're dealing with the Florida Dept. of Corrections (FDOC) regarding their decision to start serving pork as of Feb. 15th, 2021.

History:
A few years ago, FDOC eliminated pork from the menu completely due to a survey (by inmates primarily) that indicated that pork was rated very low in quality. During these years, all concerns we have received from incarcerated Muslims were related to zabiha/kosher matters.

Present:
Starting yesterday, pork was re-introduced into the diet. We have received an influx of complaints about this. There is an alternate meal for those who do not eat pork; the quality of that meal is not impressive, but it meets the necessary daily caloric value. That's another issue. The problem now relates to:

1. Muslims who work in the kitchen preparing and serving pork.
2. Cross-contamination of utensils and kitchen tools used to prepare/serve pork and other meats.

Some letters from incarcerated Muslims have indicated hesitation on matters that I've never heard of as being problematic, specifically:

• Using the same washed utensils to prepare chicken/meat with (that were previously used for pork before being washed);
• Cooking in the same oven that a pork product was cooked in;
• Sitting at the same table where others are eating pork.

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the messenger of Allah. To proceed:

The default ruling is that it is impermissible for a Muslim to consume the meat of swine, or any food that contains its meat or anything extracted from it. Similarly, it is not allowed for a Muslims to sell, cook, or touch it.

It is allowed to eat at a table where others are eating pork or where there is someone next to you eating it, with everyone eating from their own plate, as is the case with prisoners in prison or in other public areas.

As for cooking food in the oven that pork was cooked in before, it seems that in that situation neither mixing of nor contamination from impurities takes place, and that cooking other food in the oven or microwave after heating pork in it is not a problem.

It is also allowed to use the metal surfaces that impure substances were cooked on to cook permissible food, in accordance with the position that fire purifies impure surfaces. The small amount of impurity left after this process can be overlooked.

If plates, spoons, and the like are washed with water, then the impurity of the pork that was attached to it will be removed, and it would then be permissible to use. If, however, these utensils were not cleaned and traces of pork remain on them, then it would not be allowed for a Muslim to use them before washing them.

It is allowed to use cutting utensils that had been used to cut impure substances to cut pure food, after wiping these utensils such that the traces of impurity are removed. If it becomes very usual for these utensils not to be wiped and it is difficult to avoid using them, then it would also be allowed to use them in that case, especially since minute (tiny) amounts of impurities are overlooked.

We emphasize that it is necessary to respect the beliefs of Muslims with regard to their dietary restrictions, as well as those of all faith practitioners.

May Allah guide us all to goodness.