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The meat in your fridge, is it halal
12-03-2014
The meat in your fridge, is it halal? That is the question we should all be asking.
Halal meat industry is one the fastest growing markets in Canada, not to mention, extremely profitable. As the consumer often is willing to pay higher premium prices than what other meat is being sold at the local grocery chains.
Since there are no specific Canadian laws, regulating halal meats, or qualifying abattoirs, the field is open to anyone and everyone who wishes to jump into the market and make a buck. Its a gold mine for dubious entrepreneurs who do not really care whether the meat they are supplying is halal or not. They can simply take the regular meat, at a much lower cost of production, and simply slap on a Halal sticker. Literally, double their profits. This is exactly what happened on October 27, 2014, when Midamar Founder “a 73 year old Cedar rapids businessmen, William B Aossey, was indicted in federal court on 19 counts involving the sale of misbranded Halal beef products and falsifying export documents and certificates,” reported Iowa Gazette.
Midamar simply bought meat from a USDA approved facility, than changed labels with their own, exporting internationally. The labels indicated Halal certified by Islamic Services of America, which is one of the most recognized halal certification organization in US, approved by Indonesia and Malaysia.
Similarly, close to home, in summer Global TV ran similar story regarding halal meat certification in Toronto area, the news story stated, “Canada’s growing halal food industry has made it attractive target for fraud.”
Omar Subedar, a Toronto area Imam, and secretary general of the Halal Monitoring Authority (HMA) was quoted, “the inability of meat producers and abattoirs to meet the rising demand for Halal meat, coupled with lack of oversight opened the door for exploitation.”
According to Mr. Subedar there are people who feel they can take advantage of it, and they are. he was initially tipped off by employees working within the industry which prompted further investigation, “We came across a lot of things that made us lose our sleep” he told Global TV.
Usage of Halal labels is rampant in Canadian halal meat industry, where unethical sellers simply stick halal labels on ordinary meats just to meet the rising demand. It was discoveries like that which led to the formation of HMA.
According to an in depth study conducted by Alberta Government, Canadian halal meat market is estimated to be at $214 Million annually, with an average spending per household to be at $1623 annually. On average, a Muslim Household in Canada spends $31 per week on halal meat, which is twice the Canadian average of $17 per week, based on Stats Canada figures.
According to the study, 87.6% of Canadian Muslim feel it is important to consume Halal Meat; 72.2% eat Halal only; 74% are willing to pay premium price of $0.50 per pound above the regular prices, and 13% would be willing to pay $1.50 per pound extra, provide the meat supply is authenticated halal.
Another aspect the study revealed that at least once a month 69% of Muslim Household eat dinner at Halal restaurants and 51% go out for lunch. Halal Restaurants Industry still remains unchecked except for the fact that restaurant owner, at times non-Muslim, confirms verbally that the meat is halal. This is another area requiring close monitoring. However, there are no mechanism in place anywhere to ensure that the restaurants are serving and complying when serving halal meat.
In another study on Global Halal Meat Industry, conducted by Government of Canada, is estimated to be worth $632 Billion annually, that’s 17% of the global food industry, which is “Significantly higher than originally projected.” Canada wishes to play an important role in meeting the global demands of Halal meat industry. This means that we will see more producers and suppliers who would not only be concentrating on global demands, but also tapping into the domestic market. Canada is already exporting Agri-foods significantly to the Middle-east, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, closed to $1.4 Billion annually. However, due to clear lack of Halal Certification Bodies in Canada, it directs exporters to USDA approved Halal Certification bodies.
According to the Public Service Gazette, federal Government in April 2014 Amended Food and Drug regulations, “A person must not use, in labelling, packaging, advertising or selling a food, the word “halal” — or any letters of the Arabic alphabet or any other word, expression, depiction, sign, symbol, mark, device or other representation that indicates or that is likely to create an impression that the food is halal — unless the name of the person or body that certified the food as halal is indicated on the label or package or in the advertisement or sale.” However they do not come into effect until 2016, two years after they are registered.
Our own research suggested that there are no clear guideline or authority certifying and monitoring Halal meat market. There are smaller organization, mostly in infancy, such as HMA. ISNA is another organization in Canada certifying Halal meat. However, in past they have approved machine slaughter producers as Halal, which is still considered highly controversial among mainstream Muslims.
What is needed is formation of a Halal Monitoring and Certifying body, which can serve the Canadian Muslims, as well as serving producers, processors, suppliers, restaurants, etc.
If we as a community failed to come up with a solution, others will fill the void, at times charging fees for certification, which is now becoming a norm, and the added cost of such certification will obviously be passed on to the consumer.
If community leaders see this opportunity where they can provide valuable service to producers and suppliers at a reasonable cost, it would be an immense service to the community. That they can not only assist and facilitate Muslims looking for employment in Halal Meat Industry, often sought by abattoirs.
This area in our view requires an input and participation from the entire community in order to find solutions, and ensuring that the meat we purchased, for which we are willing to pay premium prices is in fact Halal and that the Muslim community is not being duped by someone trying to make a fast buck in the name of providing Halal Products.
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