 We frequently receive questions about products and ingredients. Here is one question we receive from time to time.
1. Can We Eat At A Non-Halal Restaurant?
This question is frequently asked by Muslims in USA and other western countries.
Eating out primarily depends on your personal degree of commitment and strictness in adherence to the Halal guidelines. There are three main considerations: one is the meat or poultry used, second is the method of preparation and segregation and the third is the other items that make up a meal.
Considering the meat and poultry, some Muslims interpret the verse in the Quran about the food of the People of the Book (Ahlul Kitab) to mean that Muslims can eat the meat of Halal animals slaughtered by Christians and Jews. The fact is that meat served at the non-Halal restaurants is not slaughtered in a religious manner. It is neutral meat because no name has been pronounced over it. Other Muslims believe that the name of God must be pronounced at the time of slaughter for the meat to be Halal. If you want to avoid the controversy then follow the Hadith that what is Halal is clear and what is Haram is clear, and that between these two ends are unclear things. The Hadith tells us that whoever avoids these unclear matters has protected him/herself from committing sin and whoever does not avoid them may fall into sin. If it is not clearly Halal, then it is better to avoid it. Saying clearly Halal means Zabiha, or a Halal animal slaughtered by a Muslim reciting the name of God.
After all this is said, it may still leave room for personal consideration. IFANCA certifies and promotes meat that is slaughtered by Muslims while pronouncing God’s name. Obviously we do not recommend eating the meat while eating out. You may choose fish, seafood or vegetable meals but watch out for hidden Haram items such as bacon wrapped filet mignon or chunks of ham or bacon in pasta or salads.
If you decide to eat out at a non-Halal restaurant, choose the ones that do not have pork items on the menu. Most restaurants serve pork products as well as beef, chicken and fish. The degree to which a restaurant keeps these products segregated in storage and preparation depends upon each restaurants' standard practices. The use of common grills, common utensils, same fryers for pork and non-pork items significantly increases the chances of pork and lard getting mixed into beef, chicken, seafood and vegetarian items.
Besides such unintentional contamination, there have been many reports in the USA, UK and Australia that beef was intentionally mixed with cheaper pork or poultry. In the UK there were even reports that beef was prepared with a solution of pork powder. This wisdom of the Hadith, “Halal is clear and Haram is clear …” becomes even more evident as you consider the above problems of cross contamination.
Finally, the other items that make up the meal including the bread, buns, condiments, use of wine or alcohol in cooking, desserts, etc. may contain Haram or questionable materials. Consumers need to be sure these items are not Haram. Frequently these items contain animal derived ingredients or alcoholic drinks.
If you still decide to eat out, follow certain precautions:
- Select an establishment that does not serve pork.
- Avoid fried items unless the restaurant has a separate fryer for fish and fries, in which they do not fry meat items.
- Ask the server about any hidden meat or chicken in your soup or vegetarian item.
And ALLAH, Subhanahu wa ta'ala, knows best.  |
As the Blessed month of Ramadan concludes, IFANCA wishes all of you Eid Mubarak. May ALLAH, Subhanahu wa ta'ala, accept your fasting, your night prayers and other deeds and reward you with mercy and blessings. 
According to the UK’s Food Standards Agency, one third of your diet should be starchy foods, like rice, pasta, couscous, bulgur wheat, bread, cereals and potatoes. Such foods contain fiber, calcium, iron and B vitamins, as well as starch.
When selecting bread, whole grain, whole meal and brown breads are better choices than white breads. While both contain B vitamins, vitamin E and a number of minerals, white bread has less fiber than brown bread. In the UK, there are over 200 varieties of bread, including ciabatta, pumpernickel, baguette, pita and flour tortillas.
