Is Halal Meat Healthier Than Regular Meat?

Whether you are a practicing Muslim or simply exploring your options for meat products, you may be wondering if Halal meat is healthier (or better) than “regular” meat.

What is Halal Meat?

In order for meat to qualify as Halal, the following guidelines must be met:

• The meat must come from a Halal animal (chicken, cattle, goat, rabbit, sheep, turkey, duck, wild-caught fish)
• The meat may not come from any carnivorous animal, pork, scavenger birds, rats and mice, amphibians, reptiles, mules, or donkeys
• The animal must be given a humane and healthy life
• “Bismallah” – a term that means “in the name of God” – must be spoken out loud before the animal is killed
• The animal must be killed by an Muslim slaughter man with a swift cut to the throat that ensures quick death
• The animal must be fully drained of blood, as it is Haram (unpermitted or unlawful) to consume blood

Halal is an Arabic word that means lawful or permitted under Islamic law. Under Halal guidelines, there is a strict and exemplary emphasis placed upon cleanliness, sanitation, and the humane treatment of the animals that are slaughtered to produce meat for human consumption.

Is Halal Healthier?

One of the main restrictions of Halal meat is that there is to be no blood. Blood is known to be a source of bacteria and toxins. Blood also contains lactic acid, which can negatively impact the taste of meat. The presence of blood may also limit the meat’s ability to absorb seasonings; many people who choose to eat Halal agree that Halal meat is more tender and flavorful.

Animals who are raised for Halal meat are done so humanely; the slaughtering process is also done as humanely as possible to eliminate epinephrine (adrenaline) in the meat. Animals are also required to be raised in clean conditions, which promotes their overall happiness and health as well. It is forbidden to slaughter a sick animal; this helps ensure that the meat that is produced is always clean and safe for healthy human consumption.

All Halal meat is preservative, hormone, and antibiotic free; just another example of the steps that are taken under Islamic law to ensure that the food our bodies ingest is pure, safe, and healthy.

Halal Food Council USA: Helping American Businesses Become Halal Certified

With the information you have learned here, you will have a better understanding of Halal meat versus regular meat. If you own or operate an American business and are interested in halal food certification in the USA, HFC-USA is here to help.

We will provide both supervision and certification services for any and all American businesses that wish to provide their customers with halal food – whether it be meat and poultry, dry goods, or pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. We also provide comprehensive halal food service training.

For more information about obtaining American halal certification, give us a call at 410-548-1728.