Monday 25 December 2017

Halal Certified Food Provides Muslims With Peace Of Mind

By Sarah Gibson


Islam is an extremely comprehensive religion that has a definite impact on all the aspects of the daily lives of Muslims. Islamic Law is especially strict about the manufacture, preparation and consumption of foodstuffs. This is because foodstuffs play an important role in the lives of Muslims. What one eats not only nourishes the physical body, but also has an influence on the spiritual and moral character. That is why Muslims generally only buy or eat halal certified food.

The process whereby halaal certification is obtained is lengthy and complex. The applicant must provide proof that he follows every prescribed rule meticulously. Every country with a substantial Muslim community has some form of halaal council that evaluate halaal certification. Such certification can easily be withdrawn if the applicant breeches the rules. In addition, certification is automatically reviewed every year but not automatically renewed.

There are some foodstuffs that are forbidden outright if it contains certain ingredients. No Muslim may ever consume anything that contains alcohol. This ban includes medication. Extracts and derivatives used in the manufacturing or preparation of foodstuffs may only originate from a halaal certified abattoir. The monitoring of all the processes in these abattoirs is comprehensive and often complex. Pork in any form is also strictly forbidden.

The evaluation of certification applicants do not focus solely on the ingredients used in food. The processes used in the manufacturing of products and preparation of meals are also scrutinized. Halaal foodstuffs may never be cross contaminated with non halaal foodstuffs. The crockery, utensils and cooking equipment used must be used exclusively for halaal meals and products. These implements must even be washed and dried in separate facilities.

Halaal certification does not require that only Muslims are involved in the manufacture of products or the preparation of meals. Nor is it necessary for an applicant to exclusively cater for the needs of Muslims. Any business or restaurant that complies with the criteria can apply. The full time presence of a minimum of two Muslims are, however, strongly recommended when meals are prepared or products manufactured and packaged.

Halaal certified products and meals are not just popular with Muslims. Many other people prefer these products and meals. Halaal meals are known for being prepared under very strictly monitored conditions and the highest standards of hygiene are observed at all times. There is also the fact that only the highest quality ingredients are used. In addition, many people firmly believe that halaal meals are more flavourful and tasty than meals from other cultures and sources.

Obtaining halaal certification requires a lot of effort and preparation. Not everyone want to go this route, but they still want to attract Muslim customers. They therefore use terms such as halaal friendly, causing some consumers to think that the products in question are officially sanctioned. Consumers must therefore make sure that the products they buy and eat are truly approved.

In general, Muslims lead very disciplined lives. They have many rules to follow but they do so gladly because they want to be obedient to the Islamic Law. Halaal certification is there to help them make sure that they obey all the rules related to what they consume.




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