what is halal food

Halal is an Arabic word that translates to permissible' in English. It is a dietary law derived from Islamic teachings, meaning “lawful or permitted” . Halal food is any food deemed permissible under Islamic law, as defined in the Quran. The Islamic dietary laws specify that all food and beverages are considered Halal unless they are explicitly stated as forbidden. The opposite of halal is haram, which means unlawful or prohibited. Halal food must be free of ingredients derived from haram sources. Halal food is particularly associated with Islamic dietary laws and especially meat processed and prepared in accordance with those requirements. For meat to be certified halal, it must be slaughtered in a manner known as dhabiha, which involves cutting through the jugular vein, carotid artery, and windpipe. Animals must be alive and healthy at the time of slaughter, and all blood must be drained from the carcass. During the process, a Muslim will recite a dedication, known as tasmiya or shahada. There is debate about elements of halal, such as whether stunning is allowed. Stunning cannot be used to kill an animal, according to the Halal Food Authority (HFA), a non-profit organization that monitors adherence to halal principles. But it can be used if the animal survives and is then killed by halal methods, the HFA adds.