Question Summary:
What should one do with impermissible food items?

Question Detail:

My question refers to food offered or in some instances given to us by the company we work for. Every so often HR will give each employee in the company sweets or chocolates which on occasions contain animal gelatin which is not halaal suitable. Seeing that we as muslims cannot consume the food items what can we do with it? can we give it to non-muslim people? or throw it away? if throwing it away is the answer, will then it not be classified as wasting?

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu `alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. 
1. It is not permissible to give any consumable items which contain Haraam (forbidden) elements to human beings, animals or any other creature.[1]
2. In principle, one will have to dispose of consumable items which contain Haraam elements.[2] 
3. Disposing of such items is not considered as Israaf. Since, Israaf is only applicable to Halaal (permissible) items.[3]
4. If Haraam items are left in any place and if someone takes them away, you will not be responsible for giving away Haraam.[4]
 
And Allah knows best.
Maulana Ismail Desai,
Durban, South Africa
Student Darul Iftaa
Checked and Approved 
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
www.daruliftaa.net