The term ‘Halal’ is an Arabic word meaning lawful or permitted. The opposite of halal is ‘haram’, which means unlawful or prohibited.

The necessity of avoiding haram, and striving for halal is stated in the numerous verses of the Qur’an, as well as in the Bible.

The Qur’an:  2:173

"He only prohibits for you the eating of animals that die of themselves (without human interference), blood, the meat of pigs, and animals dedicated to other than GOD. If one is forced (to eat these), without being malicious or deliberate, he incurs no sin. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful."

The Bible: Acts, Chapter 15, Verse 20

‘But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood’.

Deuteronomy 14: 8 ‘And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase’.

The following meat products are considered to be prohibited (haram):

• Animals that were dead prior to Islamic slaughtering, including those which died natural death, strangled, killed by other animals, died as a result of accident, or slaughtered not according to the Islamic, Christian, or Judaic traditions;
• The blood which pours out spontaneously after cutting animal’s trachea, esophagus and jugular veins  during slaughtering process;
• Pork or pork by products. None of the pork components (meat, bones, leather, hair, etc.) can be used for the production of ‘Halal’ products;
• Carnivorous animals (wolf, lion, tiger, etc.), birds of prey and land animals without external ears;
• Dogs, mules and domestic donkey;
• Male/Female reproductory organs, vascular gland, gall bladder, ladders of any animals.
• These prohibitions relate both to the main meat products and to subsidiary materials, such as nutritional supplements, fillers, fixins, spices, natural sausage casings, gelatinous, etc.

Besides, muslims cannot eat or drink products containing alcohol, poisoning and nartcotics.

‘Halal’ is no longer just a purely religious issue, as it has become a global symbol for quality assurance and lifestyle choice. It is a new market force that should not be overlooked.

‘Halal’ is an ancient guide of a way of life. It promotes a healthy lifestyle by how we eat, live, and conduct our business.

‘Halal’ is a lifestyle of over one billion muslims, living in 148 countries of the globe.

In terms of business it is a huge global market place. It is a part of industry, which requires world awareness.

The value of the current global halal foods market is around 580 USD. The industry is rapidly developing in non-muslim countries with leading  positions in terms of marketing and distribution channels.

‘Halal’ corporations are located in such countries like Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, India, New Zealand, Great Britain, USA, Thailand, Malaysia, and other. The corporations have realized the huge potential of the brand, and therefore have built their businesses around it. The ‘Halal’ brand is a specific process, guaranteeing best quality.

Halal has become a reliable alternative solution for avoiding such diseases like bird flu, mad cow disease, and many others.

Halal food is natural, organic, healthy, and friendly to environment.

‘Halal’ is a global brand which is currently a dominating tendency.

Today, ‘Halal’ has a potential of 6.6 billion consumers. In the following 10 years the number is expected to reach 7.5 billion.