Understanding halal food

Halal food generally refers to what's allowed under Islamic law. It's the opposite of haram, which means unlawful or prohibited.

Meat can be halal or haram, depending on how the animal was slaughtered. Halal meat is usually labelled as such in most non-muslim countries, and fruits and vegetables are always halal.

For meat to be certified halal, it must be slaughtered in a manner known as dhabiha. It means cutting through the jugular vein, carotid artery, and windpipe in order to drain all blood from the carcass.

Consuming blood is considred haram. During the process, a Muslim must recite a ...