Halal cuisine follows Muslim dietary laws, similar to Jewish kosher rules. Halal includes zabiha animals, milk, vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, grains, and fish, while haram foods are prohibited. Some airlines offer halal meals, but it’s recommended to confirm with the airline.
Halal cuisine is a food that follows the dietary laws of the Muslim religion. The Arabic word halal refers to anything that is permitted according to the laws and customs of Islam. Animals that eat blood or meat are not part of halal cuisine.
The halal guidelines have some similarities to Judiasm’s kosher rules. The word kosher comes from the Hebrew word kashur, which refers to anything that is suitable for consumption. Like Jews, Muslims do not eat pork products and just as product packaging may be labeled kosher, others are labeled halal. However, not all kosher products are halal. For example, jelly-containing marshmallows, which may be made from beef bone marrow, or cookies containing beef fat may be kosher, but not halal.
Muslims who follow halal cooking guidelines should only eat animals slaughtered with the name of Allah. This is not the case with Jewish kosher meat. Unlike Muslims who slaughter animals for halal cooking, Jews do not say the name of God when they slaughter animals to meet kosher standards.
Grain-eating animals killed in the name of Allah are known as zabiha animals. Halal cuisine also includes milk, vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, grains and fish. Foods and beverages that are not halal are haram, which means prohibited. Wine and alcohol are haram except in some Turkish versions of halal. When halal foods can be hard to find, Muslims can bring halal products with them.
There are restaurants all over the world that specialize in halal cuisine. Lebanese, Turkish and Moroccan restaurants usually feature some type of halal dishes. Popular restaurant or homemade halal recipes include fried or marinated chicken and baked or curried fish. Coconut Almond Cookies are a favorite halal dessert.
The Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) notes that Muslim meals offered by many airlines are not halal cuisine as zabiha animals are not specifically mentioned in the ingredient list of meat dishes. IFANCA recommends Muslim airline travelers request halal meals and ensure that the airline officially follows their requests. According to IFANCA, if airlines receive sufficient demand for halal meals, it could justify offering halal cuisine in the future.
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