vendredi 22 février 2019

Halal Certified Meals Comply With Very Strict Rules

By Kenneth McDonald


There are numerous laws that govern the everyday lives of all Muslims. The Islamic Law is a comprehensive set of rules that cover every aspect of the spiritual and practical conduct expected from every devotee. Numerous regulations pertain specifically to the food and drink that Muslims consume. Food is much more than physical nourishment to Muslims. What they eat has an influence upon their spiritual well being and their moral character as well. That is why they will eat only Halal certified meals.

In order to get Halaal certification, it is necessary to follow very strict rules during the manufacturing, packaging and preparation of food. Such certification can be obtained from a Halaal Council. There are such councils wherever large numbers of Muslims live or work. Certification is not easily granted and has to be renewed every year. Certification can be withdrawn if even a single rule is broken anywhere along the process.

Certain foods are strictly forbidden and may not even be used as an insignificant ingredient when preparing food. No Muslim may ever consume alcohol in any form, not even if it is an ingredient in prescription medication. Pork in all forms is also strictly prohibited. Even the derivatives that are used by Muslims must be obtained from specially certified abattoirs where there is constant supervision over the entire process.

Even the way in which food is packaged or prepared is controlled by Islamic Law and applicants for certification must follow these rules as well. Separate utensils and containers must be used when preparing food and there may be no contact with other types of food during any process. These cooking implements must even be cleaned separately. If any cross contamination occurs, the food must be discarded.

It is not necessary to be a Muslim in order to apply for Halaal certification. Anyone that strictly follows the rules may apply. Applicants are also not required to manufacture, package or prepare Halaal products exclusively, but care has to be taken that there is no cross contamination. Halaal councils recommend that applicants have at least two Muslims to supervise the processes, but this is not a stringent requirement for certification.

The market for Halaal certified food is a massive one. Anyone that wants to be in this market needs certification. Interestingly, Halaal food is also increasingly popular with people that are not Muslims. They know that Halaal food is prepared with the strictest possible standards of hygiene and that it is generally healthier than other mass produced food products.

It is precisely because the market for Halaal food is so lucrative that dishonest operators regularly try to fool consumers into thinking that their products are certified. Consumers have to look out for the official logo of the Halaal Council on the packaging. If they are uncertain, they can also use a variety of official websites to check on the certification status of outlets, manufacturers and suppliers.

Muslims in general do not think that all the rules and regulations related to their food are limiting them. They see Islamic Law as a sensible guideline that helps them to live healthy and balanced lives. Strict adherence to these guidelines is seen as a virtue, not a burden.




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