Halal is an Arabic word that means “permitted or lawful. The opposite of Halal is Haram which means impermissable or unlawful.
In reference to food, Halal is the Islamic dietary standard for Muslims, as prescribed in Islamic law.
Meat is the most strictly regulated of the food groups, with only certain animals permissible for consumption. Not only are blood, pork, and the meat of dead animals or those immolated to other than Allah strongly prohibited, it is also required that the Halal animals be slaughtered in accordance with Islamic law. For meat to be Halal, the animals also need to be cared for with compassion and consideration.
The term Halal in food is also associated with the term Tayyib which means wholesome. Many consumers of Halal foods believe that if prepared in the correct way, Halal and Tayyib (lawful and pure) foods can also lead to health and well-being benefits. As part of Halal certification, consideration is also given to a business’s food safety practices.
Muslims are not allowed to eat foods explicitly prohibited in Islam. These include:
- Alcohol
- Pork
- Meat of an animal that has died of natural causes, or as a result of strangling or beating
- Blood in liquid form
In addition, where components of manufactured food include expressly prohibited foods, or animal products derived from animals not slaughtered in the required manner (such as gelatine, rennet and emulsifiers), then the end product will not be considered Halal.
