what is "HALAL FOOD"
Halal food is defined as food permitted under the Islamic Law and should fulfil following conditions:
1. does not consist of or contain anything which is considered to be unlawful according to Islamic Law
2. has not been prepared, processed, transported or stored using any appliance or facility that was not free from anything unlawful according to Islamic Law; and
3. has not in the course of preparation, processing, transportation or storage been in direct contact with any food that fails to satisfy 1 and 2 above.
In addition, halal food can be prepared, processed or stored in different sections or lines within the same premises where non-halal foods are produced, provided that necessary measures are taken to prevent any contact between halal and non-halal foods. Halal foods can also be prepared, processed, transported or stored using facilities which have been previously used for non-halal foods provided that proper cleaning procedures, according to Islamic requirements, have been observed.
The guideline mentioned above points out that the term halal may be used for foods which are considered lawful. Under the Islamic Law, all sources of food are lawful except the following sources, including their products and derivatives which are considered unlawful:
1. Food of animal origin
a. Pigs and boars.
b. Dogs, snakes and monkeys.
c. Carnivorous animals with claws and fangs such as lions, tigers, bears and other similar animals.
d. Birds of prey with claws such as eagles, vultures, and other similar birds.
e. Pests such as rats, centipedes, scorpions and other similar animals.
f. Animals forbidden to be killed in Islam, i.e., ants, bees and woodpecker birds.
g. Animals which are considered repulsive generally like lice, flies, maggots and other similar animals.
h. Animals that live both on land and in water such frogs, crocodiles and other similar animals.
i. Mules and domestic donkeys.
j. All poisonous and hazardous aquatic animals.
k. Any other animals not slaughtered according to Islamic Law.
l. Blood.
2. Food of plant origin. Intoxicating and hazardous plants except where the toxin or hazard can be eliminated during processing.
3. Drink
2. Food of plant origin. Intoxicating and hazardous plants except where the toxin or hazard can be eliminated during processing.
3. Drink
a.Alcoholic drinks.
b.All forms of intoxicating and hazardous drinks.
4. Food additives. All food additives derived from item 1, 2 and 3.
4. Food additives. All food additives derived from item 1, 2 and 3.
Islamic Law also regulates the slaughtering procedure of lawful animal. This is explained by the guideline that all lawful land animals should be slaughtered in compliance with the following requirements:
1. The person should be a Muslim who is mentally sound and knowledgeable of the Islamic slaughtering procedures.
2. The animal to be slaughtered should be lawful according to Islamic Law.
3. The animal to be slaughtered should be alive or deemed to be alive at the time of slaughtering.
4. The phrase "Bismillah" (In the Name of Allah) should be invoked immediately before the slaughter of each animal.
5. The slaughtering device should be sharp and should not be lifted off the animal during the slaughter act.
6. The slaughter act should sever the trachea, aoesophagus and main arteries and veins of the neck region.
2. The animal to be slaughtered should be lawful according to Islamic Law.
3. The animal to be slaughtered should be alive or deemed to be alive at the time of slaughtering.
4. The phrase "Bismillah" (In the Name of Allah) should be invoked immediately before the slaughter of each animal.
5. The slaughtering device should be sharp and should not be lifted off the animal during the slaughter act.
6. The slaughter act should sever the trachea, aoesophagus and main arteries and veins of the neck region.
All food should be prepared, processed, packaged, transported and stored in such a manner that it complies with halal definition mentioned above.
source by http://www.nutrition.co.th/halal.html
source by http://www.nutrition.co.th/halal.html
