| Home » Halal Digest Newsletter » US Halal Market Opportunities Largely Untapped – Food Navigator.com |

P rebiotics have so far been largely associated with yogurt. According to the Tate & Lyle website, “Food and beverage manufacturers can pack the nutritional benefits of a prebiotic fiber in their products, such as hot and cold cereals, meal replacement beverages and fruit juices, a new study from Tate & Lyle revealed.
The study, conducted in 2011 by third-party research firm Illuminas, found that of the nearly 90 percent of Americans who believe digestive health is a top health priority, half believe they need more fiber in their diets. To ensure they get dietary fiber in their diets, these same consumers are interested in buying products with added fiber.
With fiber associated with a variety of health and wellness benefits, it’s no surprise that 9 out of 10 parents believe fiber is an important nutrient to include in their children’s diets. More than 85 percent of parents believe that fiber is important for their own diets as well.
“As a parent, I definitely understand other parents’ desire to feed their children healthy, nutrient-rich diets,” says Nick Fosteras, North America General Manager, Specialty Food Ingredients, Tate & Lyle. “This is critically important for Tate & Lyle as we collaborate with food and beverage manufacturers to create kid-friendly, fiber-rich products that parents feel comfortable feeding their children to help them meet the daily fiber requirements while maintaining good digestive health.”
Earlier this year, Tate & Lyle developed a Berry and Acai-flavored water prototype, an ideal beverage prototype for children. “It’s a water prototype ideal for kids,” says Priscilla Samuel, PhD., Director, Nutrition Health & Wellness, Tate & Lyle. “And, because it contains fiber and is a low calorie, no sugar added formulation it’s a perfect choice for both children and adults.”’
Source: Tateandlyle.com. Accessed on 22 Feb, 2012
A pril 14, 2012, Chicago – IFANCA was a co-sponsor of the Chicago Conference on Somalia. The gathering called for a comprehensive strategic planning process for long term social & economic security for Somalia. Led by Somalia Strategy Forum (SSF), supported by The National Strategy Forum (NSF), the World Engagement Institute (WEI) and the Sustainable Capacity International Institute (SCII), the conference laid the foundation for experts, including the Somali Diaspora, to make a positive and constructive engagement towards the rebuilding of Somalia. Seven areas of concern and their associated constitutional reforms were introduced. These were Economic Development, Human security, Governance Capacity, Education, Health, Poverty Eradication and food Security.
Dr. Chaudry, President, IFANCA and Mohammad Adil Khan-Qasmi, Director of Government and International Relations, IFANCA were present at the conference. Mr. Khan-Qasmi is also founder of the US Halal Association and a Senior International Fellow at WEI.
“80% of remittances to Somalia, from family living abroad, is spent on food. There is no local economy to sustain life in Somalia,” added Mr. Khan, based on a recent visit to that nation. “With access to the latest know-how, capital and technology, Somalia can capitalize on their soil and climate, both of which are conducive to growing many varieties of food.” Fish, Cattle, Poultry and sugar cane farming are some areas of potential economic opportunity.
“During these crucial times of reconstruction and state building for Somalia, the support and accompaniment of organizations like IFANCA are vital to the sustainable and peaceful future of (Somalia). IFANCA symbolizes important values and rights associated with food in the global Islamic community,” said Maj. General (Ret.) Charles E. Tucker, Executive Director, WEI.
March 26, 2012 - E-Zines Food & Drink Digital and Foodnavigator.com were two media outlets that carried stories, including an iTunes interview, with Asma Ahad, Director, Halal Development following IFANCA’s participation at the Research Chef’s Association (RCA) conference that month.
Ahad is quoted saying that halal provided the food industry with markets and opportunities for growth similar to niche dietary markets such as gluten free and sugar free. She added that globalization had made the halal certification process that much simpler.
Fellow panelists, Chefs Mike Lonteen and Chef Demetrios Haralambatos represented IFANCA clients and weighed in on their respective companies’ experiences with halal.
“We are in our infancy in halal products but I see them as a requirement moving forward in many parts of the world,” said Chef Mike Lonteen from Custom Culinary, speaking to Halal Digest.
“As the chef of a company that has been halal certified for over 10 years, we were delighted to have been asked to participate in this all important presentation to our peers. I feel that we imparted a lot of information to the participants. An added benefit was that several individuals stopped by our Trade Show exhibit and asked additional questions,” added Chef Demetrios Haralambatos of Kontos Foods.
Click Below for Additional Reading:
1:FoodNavigator.com
2:Reuters
3:Global Pathfinder Report’ Halal Food Trends
| Events | |
| National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show, Chicago | May 5-8, 2012 |
| Food Tech Egypt in Nasr City, Egypt | May 24-26, 2012 |
| 50th Canadian Institute of Food Science Technology (CIFST) National Conference, Niagara Falls, Ontario | May 27-29, 2012 |
| NAFST Summer Fancy Food Show, Washington D.C. | June 17-19, 2012 |
| Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting and Expo in LA | June 25-28, 2012 |
| Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) Convention in Washington D.C. | August 31 - September 3, 2012 |
| Association of Dietetics in America (ADA) in Philadephia | October 6-9, 2012 |
| American Muslim Consumer Conference (AMCC) in New Brunswick | TBA, 2012 |
| Saudi Agro-Food KSA, Riyadh | October 6-9, 2012 |

May 1, 2012 - Halal Consumer magazine, IFANCA's flagship publication, has been relaunched as a consumer magazine and can now be read in print, online and on mobile devices as a digital flipmagazine. “We are excited to make Halal Consumer magazine a truly interactive experience, for our global audience. Readers will not only have access to articles, but videos and photo albums as well, all in one place,” said Naazish YarKhan, Director, Content Strategy, IFANCA.
Online readers can keep up to date with the latest halal trends, nutrition news, recipes and articles, from a source they trust. They can also 'clip and save’ sections of special interest and share their favorite articles via social media.
Halal Consumer, in April, also launched its Facebook Page. “We want Halal Consumer’s Facebook page to be a hub for the halal community. Halal is an international phenomenon and our interactions via social media and the digital flipmagazine will reflect that, and foster engagement, across borders.”
| Company name | Products | Market | Region |
| Arthur Schuman Midwest LLC, USA | Dairy Products | Industry | Worldwide |
| BASF SE, Germany | Food Chemicals | Industry | Worldwide |
| Blue California, USA | Botanical Extracts | Industry | Worldwide |
| BSA s.e.c./l.p., Canada | Food Ingredients | Industry | Worldwide |
| BSC N.V. (7253) , Belgium | Enzyme-microbial | Industry | Worldwide |
| CS Facilities LLC, USA | Dairy Products | Industry | Worldwide |
| DCI Cheese Co. Inc., USA | Dairy Products | Retail | Worldwide |
| Grow Company, Inc. , USA | Nutritional Supplements | Industry | Worldwide |
| Grower Direct Nut Company, Inc.USA | Nuts and Seeds | Retail | Worldwide |
| Kig Sp. z.o.o, Poland | Dairy Products | Industry | Malaysia, Indonesia Thailand |
| Knouse Foods, USA | Bakery Items | Food Service Bulk | Worldwide |
| Muscle Nutrition, USA | Nutritional Supplements | Retail | Worldwide |
| Pilex, LLC, USA | Pharmaceutical and Medicine | Retail | Worldwide |
| Ponthier SA, France | Fruits Processed | Industry | Malaysia |
I t is becoming increasingly clear that there are questions related to religious slaughter that need to be addressed. The way we approach the religious slaughter debate should be exemplified by the following Hadith:
As Muslims we should not only be concerned about what was said over our meat at the time of slaughter but also how that slaughter was done. One of the primary things that the halal meat industry needs to examine is what size of knives we use and how sharp they are. The best current recommendations are that a razor-sharp knife without nicks that is twice the length of the animal’s neck be used for the neck cut. Using an appropriately sized knife is important because too small of a knife requires that multiple cuts be made to the animals neck which increases animal suffering and time to unconsciousness. Too long of a knife can cause fatigue for the slaughter person leading to a less skillful cut. Knives should be kept free of nicks and should be razor sharp to allow for the best possible cut. For this standard to be met throughout the day, knives must be checked repeatedly. Implementing improvements in the way that knives are used and maintained in slaughter plants would require very limited capital investment and an only slightly larger investment in employee education. It should be possible to teach these skills with a combination of workshops and instructional videos.
If the halal meat industry as a whole can show that we are trying to maintain the highest possible level of animal welfare that is within our power to do, we can simply and truthfully undercut any allegations of animal cruelty.
Kristin Pufpaff is a class of 2013 candidate at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and a Cornell University Alum.
G eneva, Switzerland, March 14, 2011 – IFANCA Client Firmenich announced its support of the GoodPlanet Foundation and its President, renowned photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand, the Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), to assist in its communication efforts around forest protection and environmental education.
According to a media advisory, globally recognized for his use of art to capture the vulnerability of the earth, Yann Arthus-Bertrand has previously collaborated with Firmenich on the Company’s 2010 Sustainability Report. As the UN’s main partner for the International Year of Forests 2011 campaign, GoodPlanet will execute an ambitious worldwide, cross-media effort titled ‘Of Forests and Men’. The campaign includes a short documentary film, a touring photography exhibit, posters for school children and an informational website.
Sustainability has long been embedded in Firmenich’s business strategy, as evidenced by the steady track record of “firsts” they have achieved in their industry, including the signing of: The Business Charter for Sustainable Development (1991), The World Safety Declaration (2007), and the UN Global Compact and UN CEO Water Mandate (2008).
Having met and exceeded seven safety and environment goals the Company set for 2010, Firmenich is setting even more ambitious sustainability goals in all aspects its of business. According to Patrick Firmenich, CEO, “We did not develop a separate sustainability strategy for 2015, but a 2015 strategy that fully integrates sustainability.”
“We are proud to be associated with a company with such standards,” said Dr. Muhammad M. Chaudry, President, IFANCA. “Halal choices aren’t just about the food we eat, but also how we treat the earth and the environment that makes food possible. Quran verses frequently refer to the environment and our responsibility as its caretakers.”
