1: Definition  

1.  1  Halal food means any food authorized by the Muslim religion, which meets

 under the following conditions:

1.1.1  It must neither constitute nor contain anything deemed illegal in accordance with the

 Islam.

1.1.2  It must not have been prepared, transformed, transported or stored using instruments or installations that do not conform to the Muslim religion.

1.1.3  During its preparation, processing, transport or storage, it must not have been in direct contact with food that does not meet the provisions of paragraphs 1.1.1 and 1.1.2 above .

 

2: Criteria governing the use of the term Halal

 

2.1 Foods conforming to the Muslim religion

 

The term halal can be applied to foods deemed to conform to the Muslim religion. According to the rules of Islam, foods of any origin are allowed  except  those derived from the following animals and plants and products derived therefrom:

 

2.1.1 Limits of animal origin

 

 -  pigs and wild boars

 -  dogs, snakes and monkeys

 -  carnivorous animals with claws and fangs such as lion, tiger, bear, etc.

 -  birds of prey with talons such as eagles, vultures, etc.

 -  pests such as rats, centipedes, scorpions, etc.

 -  animals that are forbidden to kill in Islam, for example ants, bees and woodpeckers

 -   animals considered generally repulsive such as lice, flies, earthworms, etc.

 -  animals that live both on land and in water such as frogs, crocodiles, etc.

 -  domestic mules and donkeys

 -  all poisonous and dangerous aquatic animals

 -  any other animal slaughtered using methods that do not comply with Muslim ritual slaughter

 -  blood

 

 2.1.2  Foods of plant origin

 

 Poisonous and dangerous plants except when the toxin or hazard can be eliminated

 during the transformation.

 

 2.1.3  Drinks

 

 -  alcoholic drinks

 -  all kinds of intoxicating and  dangerous drinks

 

2.1.4   Food additives

 

All food additives obtained from what is listed in points  2.1.1, 2.1.2  and 2 .1.3.

 

2.2   Slaughter

 

All land animals authorized for consumption by Islam should be slaughtered in accordance with the rules of hygiene for fresh meat and the following provisions:

 

2.2.1  The person in charge of the slaughter must be a muslim of sound mind and familiar with the slaughter methods of Islam approved and trained in animal welfare.

2.2.2  The animal to be slaughtered must be authorized by the Muslim religion.

2.2.3  The animal must be alive at the time of slaughter.

2.2.4  The invocation Bismiallah (in the name of Allah) must be uttered immediately before the slaughter of each animal in the direction of Mecca.

2.2.5  The instrument used must be sharp and must remain embedded in the animal during slaughter;

2.2.6  Slaughter should consist of cutting the trachea, esophagus and major arteries and veins in the neck region without severing the spinal cord  

 

3: Principles and HIMS control system

 

3- 1:  What is halal meat?

 

Halal meats are meats that come exclusively from slaughter Ritual by hand without stunning (without stunning without electronarcosis without CO2 gas neither before nor after) while respecting animal welfare and the rules of hygiene and safety.

 

3-2 :  Our controls

 

Slaughtering must be carried out at the start of the activity for reasons of hygiene of the control tool. The presence of HIMS and mandatory controllers, throughout the production stages, from the start of slaughter, during cutting, during the transformation process, which includes treatment, packaging, labeling, storage and transportation.

 

HIMS    does not operate in factories where pork is handled.

 

3-3: Animal welfare in Islam

         

Even if some would say that the process used in Islam is   disrespectful  of the animal, this process of killing is nevertheless the most respectful. Allah swt created these animals and he ordered them to be killed in a specific way, because it is he who created them and who knows, while we do not know.

Apart from this essential spiritual aspect, there is the scientific aspect which proves the interest of this ordered reason. Slitting the throat of an animal cuts the jugulars, which are the important veins in the neck, and thus leads to rapid death. As a result, once sliced, the conscious mind is instantly dead and the body follows within seconds. The animal does not feel any pain.

Respect for the animal in this context is its killing in a dignified way and recognizing the benefit it represents. Now, what may disturb this way of doing things is the reality of the scene, which may seem shocking. What some have proposed to stun the animals in order to avoid the deflections provoked in awake state. But there again, Islam does not have for principle the acquisition by the facility and it is moreover prohibited (Koran).

All life on this earth has a value, it is important to see it go to understand that we must respect it, because it is not a game. This difficulty brings respect for life and reflection on life. Especially when we can see that the slaughterhouses have become factories where cattle are killed in astronomical quantities and without feeling. Yet these are lives that deserve to be valued and on which we will be judged on the day of judgment.

But respect for animals in this context only represents one end compared to what respect for animals represents in Islam. As a creature of Allah swt they are present in the Quran and Prophet Muhammad saws himself taught respect for animals . They are living beings like us, they have eyes, a heart and a soul. So they feel. They can be sad, angry, happy, affectionate, they can be in pain ...

 

Here are some hadiths that illustrate the good treatment of animals:

 

“ We were traveling and saw a bird with its two cubs. So we took the chicks and their mother began to fly above our heads. At this moment the Prophet  arrived who asked: “Who has hurt this bird by taking its young? Come on, give him back his children! Another day he learned that men had burned an anthill. He asked, "Who burned her? His companions replied: "We" He said: "It is not suitable for anyone to chastise with fire, except the Master of fire" reported by Abu Dâwûd

 

The Prophet saws described the punishment of a woman who was sent to hell for the way she treated a cat. She locked her up without feeding her and she refused to release her so that she could feed herself outside .

Reported by Bukhârî.

 

One day, children had tied up a living bird by targeting it. Ibn Omar said  : "The Prophet cursed the one who uses a living being as a target"  Reported by Bukhârî and Muslim. 

 

But in the end, Islam often goes back on a fundamental principle: solidarity. This applies to all living things on this earth, so here is a final hadith to illustrate a living heart:

The Prophet saws told his companions the story of a man who was thirsty. On his way he found a well, so he came down to quench his thirst. On his way back up, he saw a dog that was so thirsty it was licking the mud off the ground. So he came back down, he filled his shoe with water and made it available to the dog. God appreciated this good deed and he forgave him his sins. The companions then asked him: "O Prophet of God: are we rewarded for our good deeds towards animals?" He replied: "For every living creature, there is a reward that does good to him "