Halal is an Arabic word meaning "lawful" or "permitted," but it is generally used in reference to food that fulfills Muslim dietary rules. Kosher plays a similar role for those of the Jewish faith, as halal does for those who are Muslim. Halal Certified Food Many foods are clearly Halal or clearly Haram. For meat to be considered as halal, the animals must be slaughtered in a certain manner referred to as “Dhabihah.” The method applies to all meat sources except fish and other sea-sources. For example, animal has to be fed as normal and given water prior to slaughter, one animal must not see the other being slaughtered, knife should be four times the size of the neck and razor sharp, and as far as possible the slaughterer and the animal should face the Qibla or Mecca and the animal must not be suffering from any ailments or any lacerations. Kosher and halal certification share many commonalities including the prohibition of pork and non-ritually slaughtered animal derivatives. Alcohol and non-halal animal derivatives are not allowed in a halal meal. Our three-step certification process is designed to quickly and easily certify your food processing facility. “…American Halal Foundation provided a tailored program around SOPAKCO’s very complex military assembly program. Connect with a certification specialist today. We wondered, what exactly does “halal” mean?Halal is an Arabic word that means “permissible.” In terms of food, it means food that is permissible according to Islamic law. By official definition, halal foods are those that are: Free from any component that Muslims are prohibited from consuming according to Islamic law (Shariah). While halal refers to much more than just Islamic dietary practices, the term is most often thought of when talking about food, drinks, and other products. With over 2 billion halal consumers, its practice can be embraced by those of any faith, ethnicity, gender, or any other demographic. Preferably, the animal is to be slaughtered by a Muslim upon reciting a dedication known as the shahada. For a meat to be certified “halal,” it cannot be a forbidden cut (such as meat from hindquarters) or animal (such as pork. We hope this guide has answered any questions you may have had about what halal in regard to food, drink, and other products is. Now to make meat halal or permissible, an animal or poultry has to be slaughtered in a ritual way known as Zibah or Zabihah. Opposite to it is haram, which means forbidden or not allowed. Halal (also spelled halaal) is an Arabic word that means “lawful or permitted.” It is a term that is used in the Islamic religion in contrast with the word haram (which means “unlawful or not allowed”). Copyright © 2019 American Halal Foundation (USA), International Recognitions and Accreditations, Industries Serviced by Our Halal Certification, Halal Vitamins, Supplements & Nutraceuticals Certification. Since pork is forbidden, halal slaughtering must not be done where pigs are slaughtered or in the vicinity of pigs slaughtering area. A Muslim is commanded to commence all his deeds in the name of Allah. It is similar to the Hebrew word “kosher,” which references food that is permissible to eat according to Jewish dietary standards. A chicken, for example, is an herbivore, but any bird with large talons indicates that it is a carnivore (such as an eagle) and would not be an acceptable source. Halal: Food and Drink that Are Allowed . However, at times questions are asked, what is halal? Why Halal Food Matters. In general, everything is allowed (halal) except what has been specifically forbidden. These terms indicate which life practices are allowed or not allowed for those who practice Islam (Muslims). Kosher certification differs from halal in its prohibition of mixing between dairy and meat and allowance of certain alcohols. They must also be alcohol-free to be halal certified. Following His will is a way to draw closer to Him by accepting His instruction. In France, the market for halal foods is even larger than the market for other types of common foods. These food products can be considered halal when meeting the above criteria: All halal foods should be certified even if they appear in this list to ensure that any animal byproducts within were halal slaughtered. However, certain foods are difficult to classify because of the ingredients they contain. They must meet the criteria listed above (e.g., processing and storage) in order to be considered halal.