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Halal Session At International Conference On Human Nutrition In Pakistan
The Pakistan Society of Food Scientists and Technologists in collaboration with the National Institute of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad Pakistan organized a 2-days International conference on "recent advances in human nutrition with special reference to vulnerable groups". The Conference drew participants from all over Pakistan in addition to delegates from 12 countries. A number of sessions were organized by the organizers in which speakers presented their works.
The Halal Session was scheduled for February 24, 2010. Mr. Asad Sajjad, Chief Executive Halal Development Project, Karachi talked about the opportunities for Pakistan in the global halal market. He noted that halal products are recognized as Good Quality products and hence demand is not restricted to Muslims consumers alone and people from different religions also buy halal products. Famous international brands such as Nestle, Colgate, McDonalds, KFC, Subway and major hypermarkets in the world such as Carrefour and Groupe Casino of France, Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury of UK are some examples of manufacturers and distributors of halal products. Mr. Sajjad said that there are only a small number of halal certified products available in North America, and a majority are not available through mainstream retail outlets. However, some super markets like Costco, Walmart, Sam's Club and Restaurant Depot are now carrying certain halal-certified items. Halal is becoming a lifestyle choice with the wide range of products including personal hygiene, healthcare products, cosmetics and many more now available. God says in the Quran that halal products are those that are good. Therefore, the products sold in the world under the "Halal" need not be restricted to meat or chicken but can also include almost every product that is good for human consumption and use. Halal has now become a brand and a label that is recognized for "Good Quality products".
Dr. Javaid Aziz Awan from the National Institute of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan said that man's basic need, food, serves to promote health and is also responsible for causing various food-borne diseases. Creation of Adam witnessed the first law from the Almighty which was a food law. The last law revealed to Prophet Muhammad is incidentally a food law as well. Hence, to keep healthy, eating safe and nourishing food is of primary significance for mankind. The Holy Quran places no restrictions on consumption of halal foods. Fruits, vegetables, cereals, legumes, herbs, spices, oilseeds, etc. are lawful as well as healthy. Fish enjoys the status of halal and is nourishing. Honey is also lawful from among foods produced by insects. The Islamic guidelines require that foods for human consumption must be 'lawful' (halal) and 'good' or 'wholesome' (tayyab). Accordingly, all foods that have not been declared unlawful and have been obtained through legal means are lawful. These are also palatable and nutritious and do not have any deleterious effects on the human body. The Holy Quran explicitly prohibits the consumption of intoxicating drinks (Verses V:90, 91), swine-flesh, blood, carrion and dead animals (Verses II:173, V:3, VI:146, XVI:115). Swine-flesh contains potentially toxic chemical and biochemical substances and serves as a vector for parasitic worms, protozoa and pathogenic bacteria. Animal blood is a reservoir of numerous chemical and biochemical compounds harmful to human health. Meat of dead animals is not recognized as edible in any civilized society and is potentially toxic since the decaying process has been triggered.
Dr. Mian Nadeem Riaz from Texas A&M University, College Station, USA briefed the audience on the issues and challenges in halal pharmaceutical and nutritional supplements. He said that in the past several decades, the number of supplements available to consumers through specialty stores, supermarkets, and especially through multi-level marketing has seen tremendous growth worldwide. The lines between pharmaceuticals products that heal and nutraceuticals, products that help maintain well-being, are becoming blurred. Although Islamic traditions allow one to consume a religiously questionable product as a medicine under compulsion, consumers generally avoid knowingly taking anything that is religiously doubtful. Some people may take a prescription medicine in a potentially prohibited gelatin capsule but not a multivitamin capsule. Medicine that is used to cure a disease or to help overcome illness is considered exempt from halal food regulations. Prescription drugs generally do not have alternative products available to replace a prescribed drug. If a drug is available in capsule form only, one is obliged to take it. However, multivitamins and other dietary supplements are not normally taken to cure serious illness, but to improve one’s health. Moreover, there are many alternative forms of multivitamins such as tablets, liquids, vegetable capsules, etc., so one does not have to take vitamins in gelatin capsules.
In his presentation, Dr. Muhammad Munir Chaudry, President, Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America, Chicago, Illinois USA discussed the global halal certification activity and how the companies can use the concept of HACCP for producing halal products. He said that halal food is perceived as wholesome and good for human consumption. It is gaining world-wide recognition as healthy and hygienic food. The halal dietary laws are almost over 1400 years old but the concept of halal certification is a recent development. Pioneering countries in requesting Halal Certificates are Singapore, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. In 1989, Indonesia created an assessment institute known as LP-POM/MUI to act as a certification agency. Several other countries like Brunei, Thailand, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates have developed halal approval systems for domestic as well imported products. Recently UAE has started asking for halal certified food products and cosmetics. Pakistan has just taken the initiative in establishing a halal standard. Halal products are usually imported by Muslim countries from industrialized countries. Dr. Chaudry further added that halal certificates are being issued by many individuals, organizations and even businesses. It is estimated that there are several hundred halal certifiers around the world; about 100 of them are more visible.
Talking about global trade in halal food, Dr. Chaudry said that it is worth over $600 billion annually and could potentially hit one trillion dollars. There are 1.6 billion Muslims in the world: in South Asia 500 million, South East Asia 300 million, Middle East 250 million, Asia (other) 200 million, Africa 250 million, Europe 20 million and North America 10 million.
Dr. Chaudry explained the concept of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) as used by the food industry. By giving examples in the meat industry, baking industry, ingredient industry and dairy industry, he explained how the companies can merge HACCP with halal principles to make the products halal, healthy and safe. 
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By Haider Z. Khattak
IFANCA halal-certified Big Train Inc., an established coffeehouse and foodservice vendor, offers branded products as well as private labels, for their domestic and international markets. Their customers range from large consumer packaged goods companies to restaurants and coffeehouse accounts. Their two manufacturing locations allow Big Train to quickly and affordably ship products to domestic customers around the country while their export division supports the needs of global and international customers. For a complete list of IFANCA halal-certified products, visit 
