News From : DagangHalal.com (01 Jul 2009)
More than 100 senior managers from throughout the food chain have been briefed on the opportunities offered by the growing demand for halal meat.
Managers from supermarkets, meat suppliers, farmers, major multiples and local authorities were at PAK Supermarket in Alum Rock, Birmingham to hear how the growth in demand for halal meat represents the great growth opportunity.
Delegates were told that with 51 million Muslims living in Europe and 2.3 million in the UK demand for food that meets Islamic religious standards is on the increase.
“There are tremendous opportunities with the Muslim population in Europe and the UK growing faster then the rest of the population,” said Mohammad Nazir, chairman of the West Midlands Minority Ethnic Business Forum and a Director of the UK Halal Corporation. He said that the key objective throughout the supply chain is to root out bad practice and allow for a single unified standard.
“Muslims represent between three and four per cent of the UK population but consume 30 per cent of red meat and 40 per cent of poultry. Between seven and eight million people in the UK consume halal food and the figure is rising,” said Mohammad Nazir.
He told the conference that it was important to raise awareness of halal food and challenge the myths; including a false view that halal only applied to meat, whereas it includes a huge range of products including drink, medicines, soaps, cosmetics and even toothpaste. Mohammad Nazir said that halal standards applied “from farm to consumer” with the good treatment of animals an important issue.
“There is a myth that animals cannot be stunned prior to slaughter. Stunning is acceptable, provided it does not actually kill the animal. No animal is killed in the sight of any other animal,” added Mohammad Nazir.
The halal seminar was supported by PAK Supermarket, Food Chain Europe, The Halal Corporation, Tate & Lyle, The Society of Food Hygiene and Technology, byotol, Sentinel Safety Solutions, Initial Foodguard and Russell IPM.
Photograph: Mohammad Nazir, chairman of the West Midlands Minority Ethnic Business Forum.
Source: THE SIKH TIMES