By Haider Z. Khattak

Dairy ingredients are an integral part of today's food industry. These ingredients contribute to the flavor, color, appearance, body, and texture of various foods. In some products, such as cheese sauce or dips, dairy ingredients are the main ingredients in the base product. In others, such as salad dressings, they may be used in smaller amounts for flavor or appearance. They are also used in bread, cakes and frozen desserts. Some common dairy ingredients are discussed below. Category of Mashbooh (doubtful), from an Islamic dietary stand point.

Whey: The liquid remaining after the curd is removed in the manufacture of cheese is known as whey. Liquid whey is converted into dry powder usually by spray drying. Liquid whey can also be further broken down into whey protein concentrates, whey protein islolates, lactose and minerals. Each of these break down products are usually dried and may be used in various products. In whey production, enzymes of animal origin, microbial origin or synthetic are used. Use of animal based enzymes is what makes products doubtful.

Whey Protein Concentrates: Whey Protein Concentrates and Whey Protein Isolates are produced by removal of minerals and lactose from whey.

Lactose: Lactose, commonly known as milk sugar, could be made from the breakdown of liquid whey or by ultra-filtration method from skim milk. If made from whey by use of animal enzyme, it would fall into the doubtful category. If made from ultra-filtration of milk, it is halal, without doubt.

Over the past two decades, the dairy ingredients industry has changed tremendously in regard to the use of enzymes. Most dairy companies in North America now use microbial or synthetic enzymes and produce IFANCA halal-certified whey powder, whey protein concentrates and lactose.

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.

True or False

1. Hibiscus tea could alleviate blood pressure.

2. Daily magnesium supplements many improve lung function in asthmatics.

3. Omega 3 rich functional chocolate and tooth-friendly chocolate hit store shelves.

4. Rye bread is a remedy for constipation relief.

1. True: "Regularly incorporating 3 daily servings of hibiscus tea into the diet effectively reduces blood pressure in pre- and mildly-hypertensive adults." - Researchers from the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, led by Dr Diane McKay. (Source: Journal of Nutrition, Feb. 2010.)

2. True: Lung capacity increased by about 6 per cent during six months of magnesium supplementation, amongst those suffering from mild to moderate asthma, according to a study led by Alexandra Kazaks from Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington State. (Source: Journal of Asthma, Feb. 2010.)

3. False. These products are in the pipeline but not in markets.

4. True. Rye bread is a more effective option than laxatives for constipation relief. (Source: Journal of Nutrition, published online, ahead of print.)

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 www.ifanca.org.

IFANCA client SAFC, a member of the Sigma-Aldrich Group, announced the completion of an extensive upgrade to its ISO 9001 certified dedicated food-grade storage, warehousing and logistics facility in Steinheim, Germany. The dedicated food-grade center, which received a "Superior" rating in its AIB (American Institute of Baking) audit, supports customers in Europe and Asia-Pacific with a greater availability of products and increased speed and flexibility of order handling. With 350 food-grade certified products as part of its 1,700 aroma chemicals offering, SAFC has made significant investments in the Steinheim facility to enhance global distribution of its flavors and fragrances product line while ensuring supply chain continuity and efficiency throughout Europe and Asia. For a complete list of SAFC IFANCA halal-certified products, visit www.ifanca.org.

Through September 30, 2010, IFANCA client Happy and Healthy Products Inc, maker of Fruitfull fruit juice bars is running a contest. Participants must make a recipe that contains at least one of their Happy & Healthy Products in the ingredients, namely Fruitfull®, Happy Indulgence®, Be Happy & Healthy® Snacks and/or Be Happy & Healthy® Breads. Entries must be postmarked by September 30 2010 and received no later than October 15, 2010 in order to be eligible. Contest categories are: Beverages, Salads, Side Dishes, Entrees and Desserts. Details at www.happyandhealthy.com. For a complete list of halal-certified Fruitfull products, visit www.ifanca.org.