Halal practice
Halal products are foods that are allowed to be consumed under Islamic dietary guidelines
By Uswa Ahmad, PharmD, BCACP, Clinical Pharmacist.
While walking through the grocery store these days, you may notice an increasing number of "halal certified" foods on shelves. Halal products are foods that are allowed to be consumed under Islamic dietary guidelines. In fact, the word "halal" means "permissible" in Arabic, whereas, "haram" means unlawful or prohibited.
Generally, in Islamic law, food will be considered halal if it is free from any component that Muslims are prohibited from consuming. Impermissible foods include:
- Pork and pork by-products (such as pork gelatin).
- Meat from animals not slaughtered according to Islamic dietary law.
- Alcohol and foods prepared with alcohol.
- Vanilla extract prepared with alcohol.
- Foods containing blood and blood by-products.
In order for meat to be halal, the animal must be slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines. The process involves reciting a prayer, slaughtering the animal in a way that reduces pain/suffering and allowing the blood to drain completely.
Just like with any faith, individual Muslims may have different interpretations of Islamic dietary laws and thus, you may see some variation in practices. Some Muslims even feel comfortable turning to kosher-certified products when they cannot find halal meat at the store. Last week, we learned about Kashrut, the Jewish dietary laws. These rules have some overlap with Islamic dietary laws!
The halal food market is a fast-growing one! In 2016, it was estimated that sales of halal food in grocery stores in the U.S. reached $1.9 billion, a 15% increase from 2012. To the relief of busy Muslim millennials, such as myself, halal food is now easier than ever to find!
Disclaimer
This articles provide general information for educational purposes only. The information provided in this article, or through linkages to other sites, is not a substitute for medical or professional care, and you should not use the information in place of a visit, call consultation or the advice of your physician or other healthcare provider.