[Dubai: With Ramadan well under way, the development of the halal food industry in terms of financing and brand-building has assumed importance.
This year, Al Islami Foods has launched the ‘Shine This Ramadan' promotional campaign to create awareness about various aspects of halal slaughter.]
[Saleh Lootah: The objective of the halal industry is to highlight not only the importance of halal in terms of Sharia, but also emphasise the other benefits of halal, including from a hygiene and health perspective. From farm to fork, halal is simply better meat, free from bacteria, blood and tender. So the true benefits to consumers that we are trying to highlight go further than the religious aspect.]
[There needs to be a consensus on unresolved issues, a sharing of basic infrastructure and a collaboration with multi-lateral organisations such as the World Bank and development agencies such as USAID, UNIDO, WTO and the FAO.
This will lead the industry to a universal halal certification — which is vital if halal is going to enter the the mainstream economy.
So has the time arrived for an international halal industry body and, if so, who would lead it?]
[Food security is a major issue in the GCC, what is the halal industry doing to address it?]
[Globally and especially in the GCC region, food security is directly linked with population growth, demand and supply and an increase in the Muslim population. To safeguard the halal industry and major halal business groups from potential food security problems, the industry should begin strategic acquisitions of halal slaughterhouses internationally.]
More on foods sacrificed to idols at "Gulf News"
"You must abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from fornication. Keep yourselves clear of these things, and it will be well with you. Farewell." (Acts 15:29)
