Illegal Labelling and Sales of Halal Meat and Food Products

Abstract

The position of halal foods is complicated in the UK. Both European and domestic systems of law are involved in what has become in recent years a highly regulated field. By contrast, religious dietary laws are ancient. Dietary laws and requirements in Islam require that permissible animals are treated and slaughtered in a particular way before Muslims are allowed to consume the resulting meat or meat products. In recognition of this requirement, as in many other countries, UK legislation makes provision for religious slaughter of animals for food by exempting Muslim and Jewish communities from a provision in the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 (as amended) that requires all animals to be stunned before they are slaughtered. There is, however, no food legislation that is specific to halal. One reason for this is because there is no consensus within the Muslim community about what precisely constitute halal requirements with respect to the slaughter of animals for human consumption. In particular, whether the use of stunning prior to slaughter is allowed remains a highly controversial issue. Much comment on this is based on scientific and religious misinformation. This has resulted in confusion within the community and consumer confidence is low. There is an urgent need for consensus and clarity in respect of the definition of halal. Without this, consumer protection will remain complicated and difficult. Consumer law does afford some protection for those wishing to purchase halal food and Muslim organisations have made considerable efforts to establish a quality standard to provide food purchasers with