What is Halal Food?
As the halal market expands, more and more businesses and restaurants are striving to become halal certified. But what exactly is halal food? Continue reading to learn more.
What Does Halal Mean?
“Halal” is an Arabic word that means lawful or permitted.
Halal foods are foods that are permitted and encouraged by the Muslim scripture – the Qur’an. Two aspects that typically affect whether or not a food is a halal include:
● Foods that have been processed, created, or stored using equipment that has been cleansed under Islamic law.
● Foods that do not contain any “haram” components – haram is an Arabic term that means unlawful and unpermitted.
In general, all foods are considered to be halal unless specifically stated to be haram. Some examples of haram foods and products include:
● Alcoholic drinks
● Gelatine (excluding fish gelatin)
● Lard
● Non-halal animal fats
● Pork products (bacon, ham, etc)
● Enzymes
Under Islamic law, eating is as much a method of worship as prayer; that is why it is so important for Muslims to consume and use halal foods and products.
Halal Slaughter Regulations
Islamic law places a high value on the life that has been blessed and granted by God. In order for a food to qualify as halal, the end of the animal’s life must be taken only in the name of God. The term “bismillah” – meaning “in the name of God” – must be spoken aloud before the slaughter of any animal.
Animals must be treated well prior to slaughter, and must never be in an uncomfortable position. The animal is to be killed quickly and with mercy. Meat that is taken from an animal that was not slaughtered in the name of God is haram, and shall not be consumed by Muslims.
Best Halal Certification Agency
The best way to become halal certified in the USA is to enlist the help of a halal certification agency.
Halal Food Council USA (HFC-USA) is dedicated to upholding and maintaining excellence in the processing, creation, and distribution of halal foods in the USA.
HFC-USA has operated in the United States since 1984, providing the following halal certification services:
● Meat & Poultry Halal Certification
● Dry Goods Halal Certification
● Pharmaceutical Halal Certification
● Cosmetics Halal Certification
For American businesses who wish to protect the rights and beliefs of Muslim consumers by providing halal-certified products, Halal Food Council USA is the best halal certification agency. We will work with you to ensure that follow and uphold guidelines in the Codex Alimentarius. Our halal certification is accepted worldwide.
Halal Food Council USA: Helping American Businesses Become Halal Certified
If you 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.