A Glance at the International Halal Food Industry | ||||
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The halal food industry has been steadily growing around the world such that even non-Muslims are getting more and more interested in consuming halal foods and this industry has found its way into a number of non-Muslim countries. The term ‘Halal’, which is commonly used within Islamic communities has its root in the Holy Qur’an for nearly fifty times in different derivations and meanings and denotes the rules and regulations related to food and drinks and other aspects of life considered permissible under Islamic Shariah law. One of the most important guidelines of Islam, which is mentioned in some verses of the Holy Qur’an like verse 168 of surah Al-Baqarah and verse 88 of surah of Al-Maida, is about the halal foods. The food items and ingredients that are not permitted are referred to as ‘Haram’ and are not, as a common practice, consumed by those who abide by the Muslim faith. ‘Halal’ is another word to express the lawfulness of the consumption of food products by Muslims. Most food products and ingredients are considered to be halal. However, there are certain items that are considered to be unlawful or ‘haram’. Some examples of non-halal food products include anything that has been prepared with alcohol, pork, or carrion (animal carcass). Food items that also contain blood or blood by-products are non-halal. In addition to the products themselves, the method of preparation of certain food items is also an important factor. Meat products, for instance, must be sourced from animals that have been slaughtered in the way instructed in the religious law. Today, the word halal is very widely used in the world and it can be said that everyone is familiar with this word in any language, which is used in many areas such as food, beverages, cosmetics, medicine, fashion and clothing, media, architecture, hotel management, tourism, economy, insurance and banking and refers to everything that is in accordance with Islamic rules and regulations. Thus, ‘halal’ is another term to express the Islamic nature of the goods. Interestingly, in other religions, too, the consumption of certain things is considered unlawful. For instance, Hindus do not eat any kind of meat, and intoxicating drinks are also prohibited and many Hindus avoid alcoholic beverages. Buddhists also do not use intoxicating drinks as drinking them has been forbidden in the teachings of Buddha. In Zoroastrianism, too, it is forbidden to eat the meat of non-hoofed animal animals, and they used the meat of sheep, cow, goat, camel, deer, and buffalo. Zoroastrian texts also forbid eating crows and vultures. Jewish jurisprudence encompasses all aspects of a Jew’s life and the teachings of Jewish law regarding food are called kosher. According to Kosher laws, it is not allowed to eat pigs, camels, carnivorous animals and birds, and drink the blood of living creatures. Only marine animals with scales and fins are kosher. The meat of non-ruminant animals is not considered clean. The practicing Jews also consider wine and intoxicating drinks unclean and avoid them. The Halal Food Industry Halal food market includes a very large market due to the extent of Muslim countries from east to west. Keeping in view the annual increase of 2.2% in the Muslim population, they will form at least 30% of the world population by 2050, and, therefore, the halal food market is considered one of the most prosperous growing markets of the world. Based on research conducted in the Muslim regions of Europe, more than 61% of schools do not use pork in any food, and 12% of schools only serve halal food to students. The growth of the halal food industry all over the world indicates the interest of non-Muslims in this type of meat. For example, the United States of America, with a Muslim population of about 9 million people, has a market of 98 billion dollars in halal products. Halal Meat and Chicken Market The import of halal meat by OIC member countries in 2014 amounted to 15.3 billion dollars, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Malaysia, Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, and Oman having been at the top of the list of meat importers. The largest exporters of chicken and poultry are Brazil with 7 billion dollars, the United States of America with 4.9 billion dollars, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Hong Kong, Austria, and Turkey. Halal Food in South Korea In Korea, which has a Muslim population of about 130,000 to 140,000, it is not that easy to find a place where Muslims can safely eat halal food. A Pakistani Muslim by the name of Zahid Hussain who lives in South Korea says that one of the most common misunderstandings about Muslims among Koreans is that they are all vegetarians, which is understandable because Muslims here have, due to the shortage of non-vegetarian food with halal meat, follow a vegetarian diet. The first Korean phrase that Muslims learn is ‘restaurant without meat’. Makan Halal Korean Restaurant, Yang Good Korean BBQ Restaurant, Mr. Kebab Restaurant, Persian Palace Restaurant, Kervan Traditional Turkish Restaurant, Ilji Hanbang Samgyetang Restaurant, Chunja Daegutang Restaurant, and Hajj Restaurant is some of the halal food restaurants in South Korea. Halal Food in Vietnam In the halal restaurants of this country, a variety of Malaysian and Singaporean dishes are served. On the restaurant menu, one can find all kinds of noodles and vegetarian dishes. Of course, some models of Vietnamese food are also served in these restaurants, for example, a traditional food called Pho, which is a noodle soup with chicken or beef. In another restaurant in this city, the restaurant menu is full of Indian dishes. Juni’s Kitchen Restaurant, Red House Hano Restaurant, Allante Restaurant, Dalcheeni Restaurant, Zaika Restaurant, P.K. Spice Restaurant, Little India Restaurant, Tandoor Hanoi Restaurant, and 1001 Nights Restaurant are among the restaurants that serve halal food in Vietnam. Halal Food in Europe The largest European country with a halal market is France. It is the first country in Europe in terms of growth rate for halal food (70 billion dollars annually). Crystal or Le Christa Restaurant, Butcher or Le Butcher Restaurant are among the best halal restaurants in Paris, Joe Burger Restaurant, and Cook Sage Restaurant are also among the restaurants in Paris. They serve halal food. Halal Food in Germany The situation is somewhat different in Germany. In this country, it is not easy to find a German supermarket with a halal section. There are very few halal supermarkets that are owned by Turkish and Arab entrepreneurs. Restaurants whose meat is prepared in a halal manner are especially popular with Muslims. Even halal food for babies has come to the market. According to the last report available on the number of Muslims in Germany, their number has increased by about 900,000. According to researchers, between 5.3 and 5.6 million Muslims lived in Germany in 2020, and their share in the total population is between 6.4% and 6.7%. Accordingly, Muslims form the second-largest religious community in Germany. Although Muslims make up more than five million of Germany’s eighty-three million population and this number is increasing, they face a shortage of halal supermarkets in this country. Tukwila Halal Supermarket in Dresden supplies a variety of halal and fresh foods. Tukwila also supplies halal meat and a variety of halal kebabs, sausages, burgers and falafels, and frozen ready-to-eat vegetables to its Muslim customers. Halal Food in Italy The first big halal meat store has been recently opened for Muslims in Rome to make it possible for Muslims to buy meat that has been slaughtered according to the principles of Islamic Sharia. Muslim immigrants and newly converted Italians can buy halal meat from butchers, but now it is possible to buy halal meat products in supermarkets. The Muslim population of Italy is estimated to be around 1.2 million people, and according to unofficial statistics, 20,000 of them are Italian Muslims. Halal Food in Kazan, Russia The city of Kazan consists of dozens of different cultures and religions, but the religion of the majority of people living in this city is Islam. Medina Cafe, Togan Avlim Traditional Restaurant, Azo 7 Cafe - MEAT ROOM Burger House, Kistibai Café-Restaurant, KGB Burger Café, and Gourmet Coffee House are among other halal cafes and restaurants in Kazan. Halal Food in America The tendency of non-Muslims in America towards halal foods has steered the growing number of halal supermarkets in this country. According to nutrition experts in the United States, non-Muslims of this country have also realized that halal foods are healthier, and as a result, many Americans are inclined toward this type of food, and this has, in turn, resulted in a considerable increase in the number of halal supermarkets in the United States. It should be mentioned that with a Muslim population of about eight million, it is estimated that halal supermarkets earn about 16 billion dollars a year. There are several Muslim networks of food importers in Muslim countries and currently the export of halal food materials from Australia to Muslim countries stands at 2 billion US dollars. Halal Food in Canada The followers of different religions live in Canada and it encompasses a wide range of beliefs and customs. Muslims constitute the second-largest religious community in Canada after Christianity. Most of the Canadian Muslim population are Sunnis. Due to immigration and high fertility rates, Islam is also the fastest-growing religion in this country. The Halal Guys Restaurant, Paramount Fine Foods Restaurant, Gourmet Malaysia Restaurant, Crave Grill House, Sahan Restaurant, The Dirty Bird Chicken + Waffle Restaurant, Bamyan Kebab Restaurant Bamiyan Kabob, Sheherzade Persian Grill are among the restaurants that serve halal food in this city. Halal supermarkets in Canada supply the halal food ingredients and meat needed by Muslims, and Muslims have no problem with regard to halal food. Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Hamilton are among the Canadian cities that have several halal supermarkets. Halal Food in Spain Muslim tourists do not face any problems in finding halal food in Spain because there are several halal restaurants in Madrid and other destinations in this country that serve halal food for Muslims including dishes from the Middle East and South Asia. Spain also has several beautiful mosques, among which mention may be made of the Jame Mosque of Madrid. Halal Food in the Philippines Due to the increasing demand on the part of Muslim and even non-Muslim Filipinos for halal food, many producers are seeking halal certification for their products in the Philippines. Filipino producers of canned fish products say that most Filipino consumers are sensitive about their health and, therefore, prefer to use halal food and products. Having a halal label increases the sales of food products and many companies and factories have received halal certification from the largest halal certification center in this country. Halal Food in China With the arrival of Islam and Arab traders and travelers to China through the ancient Silk Road and settling in places like Xi’an, Kaifeng, Guangzhou, Guangzhou, Yangzhou, and Hangzhou about a thousand years ago, halal food also found its way to this country and halal food industry began to expand. Muslim restaurants and food stalls are also widely available in different cities of China due to the presence of Muslim immigrants from western China in these cities. These Islamic restaurants in China are usually run by Muslims and serve halal foods at reasonable prices. Hongbin Lou Restaurant, Nanlaishun Restaurant, and Donglaishun Restaurant are some of these restaurants. (Source: Mehr News Agency) | ||||
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