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Halal
Food Information for Caterers
Many
Caribbean caterers use Halal meat for their dishes. This is
not necessarily for religious reasons but publicising
this fact could be an extra selling point to all nationalities.
This article explains the terms Halal, and
Kosher.
Halal
Foodways
Chef Darryl L. Mickler
As
Professional Chefs, we have the opportunity of serving guests
from around the world. This opportunity can also bring challenges
and these challenges may be particularly acute for the professional
chef. We are regularly called on to provide options for our
guests with dietary allergies, medical dietary restrictions
and any number of personal diets. However, one area where
many chefs are challenged is in developing menus and options
for our guests whose dietary requirements are based on religious
or ethical systems that are unfamiliar to us. One such area
is the set of dietary laws to which the observant Muslim must
adhere.
The halal requirements are stringent but, for the chef who
is willing to take the time to learn them and plan ahead,
they are very manageable in the average kitchen.
What is Halal?
Halal is an Arabic word which is translated most commonly
as "lawful, permitted or acceptable." In the context
of food the term "halal foods" is often used. This
means, in context, the foods that are lawful or permitted
for the observant to consume.
The opposite of halal is Haram. This term means prohibited.
Items that are designated as haram are totally forbidden in
any context and for any use.
A third term which is often used is Mushbooh. Items
that are designated as mashbooh are items whose status is
doubtful or questionable. Muslims who are exceedingly strict
may reject all mashbooh items , certain sects within the faith
will also reject some mashbooh items that other Muslims would
accept.
The Quran on food:
"O men, eat the lawful and good things from what is in
the earth, and follow not in the footsteps of the devil. Surely
he is an open enemy to you." 2:168
The first condition of Halal is that food and drink be lawful.
The lawful things encompasses not only the non-forbidden items,
but it also means that the items must have been lawfully acquired;
they could not have been acquired through theft cheating…etc.
The second condition is that the items be good (taygib). This
term has the sense of pleasant, delightful, delicious or sweet
in addition to the sense of pure and clear. Items which offend
the taste are not to be used. The object of the prohibitions
is clear in the final section of the passage. The Quran links
the physical and spiritual sides of man. Errors committed
in the physical realm are reflected in the spiritual.
There are two additional general guidelines on diet. They
are an interdiction on excess (7:31) and an interdiction on
self-denial and asceticism (5:87)
The Prohibitions:
The items which are designated Haram are clearly expressed
in the Quran. Modern foodstuffs are determined to be Halal
or Haram (or Mushbooh) based on the interpretation and extrapolation
of the following passages and in some instances from references
to details from the life and preferences of Mohammed.
The Quran states:
" O you who believe, eat of the good things that We have
provided you with, and give thanks to Allah, if it is he Whom
you serve. He has forbidden you only that which dies of itself,
and blood and the flesh of swine, and that over which any
other name than that of Allah has been invoked. Then whoever
is driven to necessity, not desiring or exceeding the limit,
no sin is upon him; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful."
(2:172,173)
1. 'That which dies of itself"
Included in this category are: "The strangled animal,
and that beaten to death and that killed by a fall and that
killed by goring with the horn, and that which wild beasts
have eaten."
2. Blood.
This prohibition mirrors the Noachian, Levitical and early
Christian prohibitions on the use of blood as a food. This
typifies the interrelationships of the "People of the
Book.". The avoidance of blood is also critical to observant
Jews.
3. Swine.
"Say: I do not find, in that which has been revealed
to me, anything to be prohibited for the consumer to eat,
unless it be carrion, or flowing blood, or the flesh of the
pig for it is unclean…" (6:145)
This is, of course, also forbidden to observant Jews.
The three prohibitions are known as prohibitions of uncleanness.
The next prohibition is quite different and is arguably the
most important concept. It is Fisq, a transgression of the
divine commandment. The first three prohibitions directly
effect the intellectual/physical/moral nature of man. The
fourth prohibition directly effects the spiritual nature of
man.
4. "…and that over which any other name than that of
Allah has been invoked." and "…what is sacrificed
on stones set up." (5:3)
In this case the prohibition arises not because of intrinsic
uncleanness, as with carrion, but because the use of this
type of food would associate one with idolatry. The Islamic
religion fiercely opposes idolatry and use of images. This
prohibition also addresses the slaughter of animals. The particular
requirements of Halal slaughter are very specific.
Other prohibition that have arisen are either according to
tradition, the writings of Islamic jurists or based on what
Mohammed personally rejected or prohibited. These items are:
· All beasts of prey.
· All birds of prey
· Tame asses but not wild ones.
· The mule, but not the horse.
· Vermin: Rats, snakes and scorpions. If they are poisonous
or then they are harmful, therefore forbidden.
· Weasel, pelicans, kites, insects (other than locusts), carrion
eating birds, hyenas, foxes, elephants and crocodiles.
· There is disagreement over the status of the lizard.
Eating raw onions or garlic, if one is going to mosque or
out in public, is also discouraged lest one give offense to
others.
Slaughter
"And eat not of that on which Allah's name has not been
mentioned, and that surely is a transgression." (6:122)
According to Islamic law, all animals that are allowed as
food must be slaughtered in such a manner that the blood flows
out. The preferred method is to cut the windpipe, esophagus
and jugular. As noted above, when the slaughter occurs it
is necessary that the name of God be invoked. The specific
form is "Bismillah, Allahu akbar."
It is interesting in that the Quran expressly allows hunting.
One may hunt with a trained animal or bird as well as by bow
and arrow (bullets are extrapolated to be arrows). In this
instance when one lets off the bird or animal or releases
the arrow or fires the gun the "Bismillah" must
be uttered beforehand. One cannot kill game by throwing stones
or other blunt trauma as it does not cause "blood to
flow." Electroshock methods of killing are disallowed.
There are also traditional directives as to the condition
of the animal prior to slaughter. Animals lacking the major
portion of the tail or ear are not permissible nor is an animal
with a stillborn fetus.
The food (slaughter) of other "followers of the book'
is expressly allowed in the Quran. Tradition also allows that
the animal slaughtered by the "followers of the book"
(Ahl al-Kitab). Some Islamic jurists add the condition (Zuhri)
that if the slaughtered is heard to utter a name other than
that of God, then the flesh is not to be eaten. However, as
noted above , modern western slaughtering methods generally
make non-Halal certified meats unacceptable to Muslims. The
allowance for food from the other "followers" reflected
the similar slaughtering methods that were practiced among
the three faiths, particularly among the Jews.
In cases where the meat is questionable as to its ritual sanctity
there are several traditions (Dhabihat al-Arab, 'A'-ishah)
which indicate a certain pragmatic liberality of view when
one did not know whether the name of God had been mentioned
or not. The prophets reply to the question was: 'Mention the
name of Allah over it and eat it." (Bu, 72:21)
"Lawful to you is the game of the sea and its food, as
a provision for you." (5:96)
Fish and other "game of the sea" need not be slaughtered
as described. They may also be used irrespective of who caught
them. There is some disagreement as to whether shrimp are
fish (samak) in the view of the Quran. Frogs, crabs and lobster
are not "fish" as they live both inside and outside
the water. There is some disagreement about whether fish that
are found dead may be eaten. The apparent majority view is
that they are lawful.
Beverages:
The prohibited beverages are:
· Wine, which is the juice of grapes that has fermented and
emitted froth.
· Grape juice which has been boiled until less than two-thirds
of it disappear and it becomes intoxicating (Tila). If more
than 2/3 has been boiled away it becomes acceptable.
· An infusion of dates that ferments and becomes intoxicating
(Sakar).
· An infusion of raisin that ferments and becomes intoxicating
(Naqui)
The fermented juice of dates and raisins is acceptable if
it has been cooked. There is some allowance, among some jurists
(Abu Hanifah and Abu Yusuf) for the drinking the fermented
juice of honey, wheat, barley and corn without cooking. The
caveat is that it not be drunk for fun or amusement and the
Muslim be reasonably sure that it will not intoxicate him.
When wine turns to vinegar, it becomes permissible.
These are the basics of the Halal requirements. While the
basic dietary laws are very clear and are easy to follow,
the food technology of today can create a product that is
far removed from its origins. It can be very difficult to
determine whether common food products are allowable. As mentioned
earlier, any non-halal food items would make the item unacceptable
(Haram).
According
to the Muslim Consumer Guide the following companies produce
acceptable foods. As products change this may not always be
the case, the chef must still be aware of what is in the product
if he is going to serve it to his Muslim guests.
In addition to the products noted below Halal certified meats
and poultry are available through purchasing with sufficient
notice.
Nestle: No products contain animal by-products. Lecithin is
from soybeans.
Kellogg: Gelatin is derived from beef/veal in their "Pop-Tart"
line.
Frank Food: QT frosting
Proctor and Gamble: Duncan Hines Cake Mixes
Great Atlantic and Pacific CO: A&P Creamer
Topco Assoc.: Food Club non-dairy creamer
Penn Maid Food: Natural and Swiss Yogurt (gelatin is derived
from calf skin)
Jolly Rancher Candies
American Home Foods: Crunch n' Munch
Entenmans: all products except those containing cheese or
marshmallows
Huber Baking: Roman Meal Breads
Pepperidge Farm: Rolls, Breads, Cakes. The layer cakes made
by Pepperidge Farm are unacceptable.
Pillsbury: 1896 Brand Buttermilk Biscuits
Sunshine Biscuits: all products
Baskin Robbins: All products except those containing marshmallows.
Meadow Gold: Ice creams except those containing marshmallow
Kosher and Halal and the commercial kitchen
The kosher system of dietary laws appears on the surface to
be similar to the Halal regulations. This can be misleading
as they are distinctly different in very important areas.
The chef cannot assume that Kosher will be acceptable to the
Muslim consumer. Distinct differences include:
Meat: Kosher, generally, allows only the meats of the forequarter.
The ritual slaughter performed is likely to be unacceptable
to the Muslim of today. The kosher slaughter ritual distinctly
does not include the "name of God." It is true that
the Quran allows for use of animals slaughtered by the other
"peoples of the book", however this reflects the
practices of the time when the Quran was written, not modern
practice.
Additionally there are items forbidden in Kosher cookery (trefah)
which may be acceptable in Halal cookery. These may include:
rabbit, wild duck, wild hen, shellfish…etc. Some items, as
noted for meat, that are Kosher are distinctly Haram such
as: cheeses, gelatin, wine.
A salient difference between kosher and halal is the absence
of regulations concerning food combinations or the stringent
requirements that pertain to the physical kitchen. Cross contamination
of halal and haram is certainly and issue, but Halal guest
requests can readily be accommodated by the chef who has sufficient
knowledge and respect for these traditions.
For additional information the Islamic Food and Nutrition
Council has a very good site at http://www.ifanca.org/
Source: www.unichef.com
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