Thursday, December 21, 2017

Why Halal Certified Food Is Important To Muslims

By Sarah Hamilton


Muslims lead extremely tightly controlled lives. Every aspect of their lives are subjected to Islamic Law. This is particularly true of the foodstuffs that Muslims may eat or drink. Food is important to devout Muslims. Eating is not just a necessary activity to nourish the body, but also an important part of the spiritual well being of the individual and the maintenance of very high moral standards. This is why Muslims exclusively consume only Halal certified food.

In order to get halaal certification, restaurants, manufacturers and suppliers must show that they are keeping to the strict rules set by the Halaal Council. There are Halaal Councils in every country where significant numbers of Muslims live. Getting this certification is not easy and approval normally takes many months. In addition, once granted, it has to be renewed on an annual basis.

There are certain foodstuffs that no Muslim may ever use or consume. Pork in any form is seen as an abomination and unclean. Alcohol is also strictly forbidden, even when it is used as a minor ingredient or as an ingredient of medication. Extracts and flavouring agents may only be used if it was produced in a halaal abattoir. The control over the processes in these abattoirs is extremely strict and time consuming.

The ingredients used in the preparation or manufacturing of foods are not the only factors under consideration before certification is approved. The process by which the food is manufactured or prepared also comes under scrutiny. It is not allowed to use utensils and other tools that have been used in the preparation of other types of food. The containers, cutlery and utensils used in the preparation of halaal meals must even be cleaned in separate facilities.

Halaal certification does not require that only Muslims are involved in the handling of the products or meals. Applicants do not have to be Muslims either. Anyone can apply, as long as they abide by the rules of the Halaal Council. This council nevertheless strongly recommend that at least two Muslims are present during all stages of the manufacturing, packaging or preparation processes.

There are millions of Muslims and this makes halaal certification important to restaurants and manufacturers. However, it is not just Muslims that prefer halaal foodstuffs. Many people from other cultural backgrounds prefer halaal products. They argue that these products are manufactured and packaged in the most hygienic circumstances possible. It also contains only very high quality ingredients. These quality control measures applicable to all halaal products are reassuring to many consumers.

The market for halaal products is a lucrative one. Unfortunately, there are some businesses that are not properly certified but that nevertheless fool their clients into thinking that they are. They mislead their clients by displaying signs such as Halaal Compliant or Halaal Friendly. This does not imply certification, however. Unsure consumers should obtain advice from the official Halaal Council website where all approved products and establishments are listed.

Most Muslims try very hard to live their lives strictly according to the Islamic Law, particularly when it comes to what they eat. They believe that these laws are there to protect them from harm and abuse. The laws are not imposed to punish or to control people.




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