HALAL MEAT

What is halal meat?

By Nick EardleyBBC News

Halal is Arabic for permissible. Halal food is that which adheres to Islamic law, as defined in the Koran.

The Islamic form of slaughtering animals or poultry, dhabiha, involves killing through a cut to the jugular vein, carotid artery and windpipe.

Animals must be alive and healthy at the time of slaughter and all blood is drained from the carcass. During the process, a Muslim will recite a dedication, know as tasmiya or shahada.

There is debate about elements of halal, such as whether stunning is allowed.

Stunning cannot be used to kill an animal, according to the Halal Food Authority (HFA), a non-profit organisation that monitors adherence to halal principles. But it can be used if the animal survives and is then killed by halal methods, the HFA adds.

How widespread is stunning?

The RSPCA says slaughter without pre-stunning causes "unnecessary suffering".

UK Food Standards Agency figures from 2011 suggest 84% of cattle, 81% of sheep and 88% of chickens slaughtered for halal meat were stunned before they died.

Supermarkets selling halal products say they stun all animals before they are slaughtered. Tesco says the only difference between the halal meat it sells and other meat is that it was blessed as it was killed.

Stunning of livestock has been mandatory in the the EU since 1979, although member states can grant exemptions for religious slaughter.

Some countries, including Denmark, have opted to ban non-stunning slaughter altogether. The UK government says it has no intention of banning religious slaughter.

Is it different from kosher meat?

Kosher food complies with Jewish dietary law (kashrut), again governing what can and cannot be eaten by those practising the faith.

There are similarities in the method of slaughter in that both require use of a surgically sharp knife and specially-trained slaughtermen.

Jewish law strictly forbids the use of stunning and meats are not blessed in the same way.

Unlike for halal, kashrut does not require God's name to be said before every slaughter after an initial blessing.

Kashrut forbids the consumption of certain parts of the carcass, including the sciatic nerve and particular fats.

Halal also forbids consumption of some carcass parts including the testicles and bladder.

What are the rules on labelling?

Currently, there is no requirement for halal or kosher meat to be specifically labelled.

Why are retailers and restaurants selling it?

By ensuring food meets halal criteria, retailers and restaurants are making their products suitable for the UK's Muslim population.

Under HFA guidelines, slaughterhouses must be completely halal compliant.

Image copyrightAP

Image captionThe global halal food and lifestyle industry is estimated to be worth hundreds of billions of dollars

That means they cannot have some areas that meet standards and others which do not.

The HFA says many slaughterhouses will have chosen to move to halal processes so they do not lose Muslim customers.

The latest census suggests there are 2.7 million Muslims in the UK, with a spending power estimated in the region of £20bn.

How widespread is halal in the UK?

A number of supermarkets including Marks and Spencer, Tesco, Morrisons, and the Co-op all sell halal lamb. Some Waitrose lamb products are given a Halal blessing, but are not supplied separately and are therefore not considered halal on the shelves, the chain said.

The Sun newspaper prompted a debate after running a front page reporting that all chicken served at Pizza Express was halal and customers were not being told.

The HFA estimates 15% of all meat slaughtered in the UK is halal compliant.

What changes are being suggested?

Campaigners and politicians are calling for clearer labelling of halal products to give consumers more information on how their food is prepared.

GUIDELINE FOR HALAL FOOD

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR USE OF THE TERM “HALAL”

CAC/GL 24-1997[27]

The Codex Alimentarius Commission accepts that there may be minor differences in opinion in the interpretation of lawful and unlawful animals and in the slaughter act, according to the different Islamic Schools of Thought. As such, these general guidelines are subjected to the interpretation of the appropriate authorities of the importing countries. However, the certificates granted by the religious authorities of the exporting country should be accepted in principle by the importing country, except when the latter provides justification for other specific requirements.

1 SCOPE

1.1 These guidelines recommend measures to be taken on the use of Halal claims in food labeling.

1.2 These guidelines apply to the use of the term halal and equivalent terms in claims as defined in the General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods and include its use in trade marks, brand names and business names.

1.3 These guidelines are intended to supplement the Codex General Guidelines on Claims and do not supersede any prohibition contained therein.

2 DEFINITION

2.1 Halal Food means food permitted under the Islamic Law and should fulfill the following conditions:

2.1.1 does not consist of or contain anything which is considered to be unlawful according to Islamic Law;

2.1.2 has not been prepared, processed, transported or stored using any appliance or facility that was not free from anything unlawful according to Islamic Law; and

2.1.3 has not in the course of preparation, processing, transportation or storage been in direct contact with any food that fails to satisfy 2.1.1 and 2.1.2 above.

2.2 Notwithstanding Section 2.1 above:

2.2.1 halal food can be prepared, processed or stored in different sections or lines within the same premises where non-halal foods are produced, provided that necessary measures are taken to prevent any contact between halal and non-halal foods;

2.2.2 halal food can be prepared, processed, transported or stored using facilities which have been previously used for non-halal foods provided that proper cleaning procedures, according to Islamic requirements, have been observed.

3 CRITERIA FOR USE OF THE TERM “HALAL”

3.1 LAWFUL FOOD
The term halal may be used for foods which are considered lawful. Under the Islamic Law, all sources of food are lawful except the following sources, including their products and derivatives which are considered unlawful:

3.1.1 Food of Animal Origin

(a) Pigs and boars.
(b) Dogs, snakes and monkeys.
(c) Carnivorous animals with claws and fangs such as lions, tigers, bears and other similar animals.
(d) Birds of prey with claws such as eagles, vultures, and other similar birds.
(e) Pests such as rats, centipedes, scorpions and other similar animals.
(f) Animals forbidden to be killed in Islam i.e., ants, bees and woodpecker birds.
(g) Animals which are considered repulsive generally like lice, flies, maggots and other similar animals.
(h) Animals that live both on land and in water such as frogs, crocodiles and other similar animals.
(i) Mules and domestic donkeys.
(j) All poisonous and hazardous aquatic animals.
(k) Any other animals not slaughtered according to Islamic Law.
(l) Blood.
3.1.2 Food of Plant Origin

Intoxicating and hazardous plants except where the toxin or hazard can be eliminated during processing.
3.1.3 Drink

(a) Alcoholic drinks.
(b) All forms of intoxicating and hazardous drinks.
3.1.4 Food Additives

All food additives derived from Items 3.1.1, 3.1.2 and 3.1.3.

3.2 SLAUGHTERING

All lawful land animals should be slaughtered in compliance with the rules laid down in the Codex Recommended Code of Hygienic Practice for Fresh Meat[28] and the following requirements:

3.2.1 The person should be a Muslim who is mentally sound and knowledgeable of the Islamic slaughtering procedures.

3.2.2 The animal to be slaughtered should be lawful according to Islamic law.

3.2.3 The animal to be slaughtered should be alive or deemed to be alive at the time of slaughtering.

3.2.4 The phrase “Bismillah” (In the Name of Allah) should be invoked immediately before the slaughter of each animal.

3.2.5 The slaughtering device should be sharp and should not be lifted off the animal during the slaughter act.

3.2.6 The slaughter act should sever the trachea, oesophagus and main arteries and veins of the neck region.

3.3 PREPARATION, PROCESSING, PACKAGING, TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE

All food should be prepared, processed, packaged, transported and stored in such a manner that it complies with Section 2.1 and 2.1 above and the Codex General Principles on Food Hygiene and other relevant Codex Standards.

4 ADDITIONAL LABELLING REQUIREMENTS

4.1 When a claim is made that a food is halal, the word halal or equivalent terms should appear on the label.

4.2 In accordance with the Codex General Guidelines on Claims, claims on halal should not be used in ways which could give rise to doubt about the safety of similar food or claims that halal foods are nutritionally superior to, or healthier than, other foods.

MEANS OF HALAL FOOD

Introduction

The purpose of this information is to assist non-Muslims to come to a better understanding of the term 'Halal' and its importance to Muslims.

One Islam – Many Muslims

Though Islam is a single religion, it is important to recognize that Muslim people are not a single homogenous group. There are approximately +400,000 Muslims in Australia, who have come from over 70 countries all around the world: from Europe (ie Albania, Bosnia, Turkey), Africa, Asia (including Central Asia, South Asia, South East Asia), Pacific Islands, and North and South America.

Muslims believe in the one God. Allah is the Arabic word for God, and Muslims believe in all the Prophets including Jesus, Moses, Abraham and others including Muhammad, peace be upon them.

Halal is a term designating any object or an action which is permissible to use or engage in, according to Islamic law. It is the opposite of haraam. The term is used to designate food seen as permissible according to Islamic law.

What is Halal?

Halal is an Arabic word meaning lawful or permitted. In reference to food, it is the dietary standard, as prescribed in the Qur'an (the Muslim scripture). The opposite of halal is haram, which means unlawful or prohibited. Halal and haram are universal terms that apply to all facets of life. These terms are commonly used in relation to food products, meat products, cosmetics, personal care products, pharmaceuticals, food ingredients, and food contact materials.

While many things are clearly halal or haram, there are some things which are not clear. Further information is needed to categorise them as halal or haram. Such items are often referred to as mashbooh, which means doubtful or questionable.

Definition

In general every food is considered halal in Islam unless it is specially prohibited by the Qur'an or the Hadith . By official definition, halal foods are those that are:

1. Free from any component that Muslims are prohibited from consuming according to Islamic law (Shariah).
2. Processed, made, produced, manufactured and/or stored using utensils, equipment and/or machinery that have been cleansed according to Islamic law.

Muslims eat to maintain a strong and healthy physique in order to be able to contribute their knowledge and effort for the welfare of the society. Muslims are supposed to make an effort to obtain the best quality nutritionally. It is mentioned in a Hadith that the prayer of a person is rejected by Allah if the food consumed is prohibited (haram).

All foods are considered halal except the following (which are haram):

• Alcoholic drinks and intoxicants
• Non-Halal Animal Fat
• Enzymes* (Microbial Enzymes are permissible)
• Gelatine* - from non-Halal source (fish gelatine is Halal)
• L-cysteine (if from human hair)
• Lard
• Lipase* (only animal lipase need be avoided)
• Non-Halal Animal Shortening
• Pork, Bacon / Ham and anything from pigs
• Unspecified Meat Broth
• Rennet* (All forms should be avoided except for plant / microbial /
• synthetic - rennet obtained from halal slaughtered animal is
• permissible).
• Stock* (a blend of mix species broth or meat stock)
• Tallow* (non-Halal species)
• Carnivorous animals, birds of prey and certain other animals
• Foods contaminated with any of the above products

(*May be consumed if derived from Halal animals.)

Halal/Haram

Foods containing ingredients such as gelatin, enzymes, emulsifiers, and flavours are questionable, because the origin of these ingredients is not known.

In the meat and poultry food industry, animals such as cows, veal, lamb, sheep, goats, turkeys, chickens, ducks, game birds, bison, venison, etc, are considered halal, but they must be prepared according to Islamic laws in order for their meat to be suitable for consumption (see below).

Fish and seafood (with the exception of crocodiles, alligators and frogs) are generally acceptable for Muslims but as always check first, as there may be a personal dietary preference or allergy. The preparation of the fish or seafood should not include alcohol (ie batter or wine, or anything considered haram).

In cases of necessity, prohibited things may become permissible (halal) for the duration of the emergency or need, as Islam puts a priority on life over death. Refer to Qur'an at Chapter 2:173 (Al Baqarah).

Islamic Halal Meat Preparation and Supervision

In Australia, the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC – the peak Muslim body) certifies and trains Islamic slaughtermen for the meat and poultry industry. AFIC's Halal Service Manager travels throughout Australia to various abattoirs/farms, meat and non-meat food companies, drugs, cosmetic establishments to perform Islamic supervision, audit/inspection, and halal preparation.

Halal products are derived from animals and/or poultry that have been prepared according to Islamic law under the following statement, “In the name of God – God is the Greatest/Bismillahi Allahu Akbar”.

Halal products and production are properly separated and clearly identified from non-halal products.

Life is sacred

Islam places great emphasis in the way in which an animal's life ends, which has to be in accordance with Islamic regulations. Life is a sacred blessing of God to creation, animals as well as humans.

If the life of an animal has to be ended for human survival, then its life should only be taken in the name of God. Hence, the phrase bismillah ('in the name of God') must be uttered just before slaughtering an animal.

Muslims cannot consume the meat of animals that are sacrificed in a name other than God. Any animal slaughtered in the name of a person alive or dead, any deity or idol will be considered as haram and therefore it is not permissible for Muslims to consume that meat.

Islamic Slaughter

Muslims are only allowed to eat meat that has been prepared according to Islamic law. This method is often challenged by animal rights activists as ‘causing unnecessary suffering to the animal’. Muslims disagree and say that Islamic law on killing animals is designed to reduce the pain and distress that the animal suffers.

AFIC has strict rules with regards to Islamic slaughter. These rules state:

1. The slaughterer must be a sane adult Muslim.
2. The slaughterer must say the name of God before making the cut.
3. The name of God is said in order to emphasise the sanctity of life and that the animal is being killed for food with God's consent.
4. The animal must be killed by cutting the throat with one continuous motion of a sharp knife.
5. The cut must sever at least three of the trachea, oesophagus, and the two blood vessels on either side of the throat.
6. The spinal cord must not be cut.
7. Animals must be well treated before being killed.
8. Animals must not see other animals being killed.
9. The knife must not be sharpened in the animal's presence.
10. The knife blade must be free of blemishes that might tear the wound.
11. The animal must not be in an uncomfortable position.
12. The animal must be allowed to bleed out and be completely dead before further processing.

Some experts say that the animal killed in this way does not suffer if the cut is made quickly and cleanly, because it loses consciousness before the brain can perceive any pain: "the Islamic way of slaughtering is the most humane method of slaughter and that captive bolt stunning, practiced in the West, causes 3 severe pain to the animal"

Schulze W, Schultze-Petzold H, Hazem AS, Gross R. Experiments for the objectification of pain and consciousness during conventional (captive bolt stunning) and religiously mandated (“ritual cutting”) slaughter procedures for sheep and calves. Deutsche Tierärztliche Wochenschrift 1978 Feb 5;85(2):62-6.

The argument that halal slaughter is inhumane because animals are allowed to bleed to death is scientifically untrue.

An animal's throat is cut in one swift motion with a razor sharp knife. Unconsciousness is achieved within seconds and death occurs due to cerebral hypoxia not blood loss.

Conclusion

Islam is not only a religion it is a way of life with protocols, rules and manners governing every facet of life. Since food is an important part of daily life, food laws carry a special significance. Muslims are expected to eat for survival, to maintain good health and not to live for eating. In Islam, eating is considered to be a matter of worship of God like prayer, fasting, alms-giving and other religious activities.