I reccomend everyone pick up some halal "bacon" - the packages usually say "breakfast" beef.... it's damn good stuff, and the drippings are killer.

When I was in the halal market I saw they had a cut of cow that looked like bacon - is that what this is? Beef bacon?

if everything were kosher or halal, the meat industry might be a better place, no? meh, maybe.

i've heard some varying opines on what exactly kosher meat signifies and considering i live in midwood, a very orthodox jewish neighborhood, AND right next door to a glatt kosher supermarket, i'm always wondering what REALLY makes kosher meat...kosher.

i know this is silly and i could probably wiki it, but here's the weird things i've been told:

someone once told me it's just having a rabbi present, another said it's got something to do with packing the entire slaughtered animal in salt (eh?), another said it was uttering a certain prayer, and another version was a lot like the halal list above. i should just go wiki it!

my husband had to visit killing floors as part of his job working with meat inspectors... the one he found the most difficult to witness was the Kosher plant -- the animal has its throat cut, and it is conscious while it happens. He said that he saw animals hung upside down while they looked to be still alive... He hasn't been able to eat Kosher meat since that day...

kdkaboom, I think Kosher meat is quite similar to Halal, although I'm neither Jewish nor Muslim. But I believe the guidelines come from the part of the Torah that overlaps with the Koran.

And I agree that the meat industry might be better if we all ate Kosher or Halal beef, but what about the hindquarters! No cheeseburgers! (OK, I know cheeseburgers aren't kosher, either).

what about the animal? is halal or kosher really more humane way to slaughter it?

My boyfriend owns a large Halal slaughter house in New York. Each animal is taken away from the other animals when it is slaughtered. It is given water to drink beforehand, and each animal is killed with one cut to the throat while ritual prayers are recited. The knives are re-sharpened before and after each killing. The animals are not kept in cages. The chickens are not piled on top of each other in crates. His poultry comes from Amish farms, and his lamb and goats are free range from Texas. The animals are fed all natural feed, and they are never given drugs or fed any animal by-products.
The Halal laws are very similar to the Kosher laws. It is about respecting the creature whose life you are taking, and acting with reverent accordance. Two-thirds of my boyfriend's customers are not Muslim. They are just people looking for responsibly raised and slaughtered meat. I have lamb chops in my freezer right now, and I know exactly where and how they were produced. And I get the freshest eggs of anyone I know!

Monika1, it is interetsing that your husband finds the slaugher of kosher/halal animals more vile than those of the standard method. Somehow it sickens me more to think of the cows being stunned on a conveyor and hopefully unconcious as they are slaughtered. I do eat meat, and am not planning to stop, but I would much prefer to know the animal was killed humanely and as painleslly as possible versus being distraught and scared out of their wits prior to death.

I have to echo what emmyp said. It is part of the dietary laws that the animals are killed as humanely and quickly as possible and they are to be treated better as they are raised.

I am so happy that when I move to Pittsburgh I will have access to a number of Kosher and one Halal butcher shop. It is also my understanding (while unconfirmed) that they would be free of artificial hormones - but I might be incorrect in that part.

hanging upside down and bleeding to death is humane? the more I know about meat the less I want to eat any of it.

kdkaboom (and others) -

In order for meat to be kosher, it must fit a number of requirements:
- It must be from a kosher animal (e.g., cow, as opposed to pig)
- It must have been in good health before its slaughter (there are technical details as to how this is defined)
- It must be slaughtered at the neck with a very sharp knife (again, I'm not getting into some of the technicalities)
- Some portions of the fat, and all blood must be removed. (The blood is drawn out by packing the fresh meat in salt, which is where kosher salt gets its name from.)

A blessing is generally said before the slaughter, but its absence would not, I think, render the meat non-kosher.

And a rabbi is generally supposed to be present to ensure that all the above have been strictly followed.

There may be some others, but those are the main points.

In theory, this is all meant to ensure a humane and clean process.
In practice, unfortunately, there are ways to abuse the process (which is what monika1's husband saw, and what's detailed here).

thank you, reuven! :)

Wow, that wiki post made me sad! I had no idea but they seem to be a rogue source so hopefully the rest are respectful for the life they are taking. I wonder how you can know if your meat is from the bad place - can they tell you if you ask? I would assume so as they are supposed to know all the places the meat has been. That is one thing I like about Whole Foods meat dept.

<A HREF="organicandnaturalmom.blogspot.com">organic mom</A>

One thing to keep in mind is that dietary restrictions like Halal or Kosher came not only from humane reasons, but safety reasons as well.

One reason pork is generally frowned on in either is because it's so much easier for humans to get sick on it.

The same reason is the basis for decreeing that animals should be conscious until slaughtered - it was intended to keep people from eating a cow that was sick enough to be passed out or near death. Obviously, any cow that sick might pose a serious risk to anyone who ate it in ancient times.

Nowadays, like pork, it's a proclamation that is a little outdated. We don't have to worry as much about sick cows getting into the food supply, although unscrupulous people sometimes do it anyway. In the grand scheme of things, though, a sudden trigger-bolt to the head probably isn't any more humane and a super-fast slice.

As in all things, just how "humane" kosher, halal, or regular meat is depends on the individual factory and the workers themselves.

In one respect, though, halal still has an important safety aspect - it's far healthier to eat animals that are NOT eating cannibalistic byproducts.

what i appreciate about kosher and halal slaughtering is the respect that is paid to the animal. i would rather end my life with a slit throat and a prayer than with an electric current up my...

First and foremost, I appreciate the information. Very interesting!

Second, the thought of eating any kind of meat right now is nauseating. (and I usually love it)

So I am Muslim, and while there are likely more humane methods of killing animals nowadays (anesthetizing and whatnot) I think that the original reasons for killing the animal while they are fully aware is

1) as someone said, to know the animal is healthy, and

2) to respect the animal.

Once while I was in my front yard trying to pick a pear from our pear tree, my aunt came up to me and told me not to. She pointed out that it was sunset and (apparently according to our culture) plants go to sleep when the sun is not out. She told me to never pick fruit after dark, because you should not kill something while it is sleeping. It is disrespectful. Kind of like stabbing a man in the back, I guess. I think that is part of the reason why animals are still slaughtered like this today.

Halal is definitely the more humane way...

For everything else we use scientific experiments and logic to come to conclusions... but when it comes to the Halal slaughter issue all i see from the opposition is propaganda and emotional blackmail...

Show a few animals convulsing on the floor and covered in blood.. and ooooh.... it must be wrong..

no research no experiment.. objective achieved...

Muslims don't unnecessarily torture the animals unlike most other western style abattoirs / slaughterhouse workers.. (Its against our religion..).
The animal dies faster with the Halal way...
The animal drains more blood in the halal way...
The animal feels less... Yes that's right less!! pain...
The meat is more hygienic, safer to eat and tastier...(something you must try a few times to experience..)

its backed by independent research,... and the list goes on..

Full article with a German study to back up its claims..

I don't really want to enter the ethics-of-halal debate myself because I don't know enough, but just keep in mind that you never want to buy halal meat for a steak or roast, because the absence of blood just makes it flavourless and dry, and in the case of a roast, means that you get little to no juices that you would otherwise make a gravy with. I lived in Turkey once for several months and quickly learned this. (Minced beef is generally fine because how it tends to be cooked.)

I had spoken to a friend who recommended Halal meat as a more humane approach to slaughtering an animal. After reading up on it though, I still have my doubts, who is to say that the animal feels less pain from this method? With the halal method of slaughter, the animal isn't even stunned at all, so therefore I believe the animal has a full understanding of what is happening. The animal is possibly less stressed prior to the slaughter, but in the long run is it more humane? I know these animals are reared to be eaten, but from what I have read they are still pretty intelligent animals.

On the western methods of slaughtering and the humane treatment of animals perhaps read Slaughterhouse by Gail A Eisnitz.

I don't know WHERE this article got its research, but here is some information for you...
'The Sharia term for halal slaughter is dhakat. Dhakat is to slaughter an animal by cutting the trachea, the esophagus, and the jugular vein, letting the blood drain out while saying “Bismillah allahu akbar”—in the name of Allah the greatest.

Many Christians, Hindus or Sikhs and Jews find it offensive to eat meat slaughtered according to Islamic ritual (although Jews are less likely to be exposed to such meat, because they eat kosher). The issue for many Christians is that in halal slaughter, an imam offers the animal up as a sacrifice to Allah which makes it meat sacrificed to idols.'
And, if you'd like to know more visit: http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=39442

There is no humane way of slaughter. Slaughter, whether Kosher or halal or what ever, is inhumane. I turned a vegetarian without any problem. Now I can't even smell meat, it is disgusting how people eat dead animals.

Makkah Market is one of the most trusted Halal Meat suppliers in the US that provides food permitted under the Islamic Dietary Guidelines with assurance of delightful flavor.

Halal Meat

Although I appreciate the attempt at improving conditions for animals, I wish humans would stop trying to convince themselves though that any slaughter is humane- these two words just don't go together.

I understand that with Halal or Kosher there is an attempt to be respectful by praying and killing the animal quickly. But bleeding out is not a quick death. This is cruel. I wonder how many of these animals watch the next one bleed out? (The butchers would never tell you.) How about we be respectful by not slaughtering them? Can we be less selfish and stop killing so many animals because it tastes good? And by doing this our great reward is we are healthier, eco-friendly and compassionate. (Sent with respect.)

As ANDIEB pointed out: how anyone can use the words "slaughter" and "humane" in the same sentence is rather hypocritical. To say there is a humane way to kill animals for human consumption is totally reprehensible! I am a meat eater!!!!!

All this religious, self righteous bunkum is of no significance - if you like meat; eat it!!!!!!!!! Good for you if you MUST know the history of the animal you are eating - you still eat it anyway! Best to become a non meat eater if views are so strong on the nature of "slaughter".

halal meat is the way the animal is killed and i think that it is very cruel slitting an animals throat whilst its still alive dont you

I live in the Hampshire region of England but after visiting London an surrounding areas recently which is just 40-50 miles away it seems like a different country. I was astonished by the amount of Halal Butchers and how busy there appeared to be. Also the demand for Halal meat in England puzzled me. Great Britain prides itself on the humane treatment of animals at all times which is why we have organisations such as the well known RSPCA.

I find it quite insulting that these so called Halal butchers are so common in places like London when the meat supplied by British Butchers is of superior quality, taste and origin. Scotch Beef, Welsh Lamb, English Pork.

I can not see how killing an animal by slitting its throat whilst still alive 'blessing' the animal as it bleeds to death can be humane compared to stunning the animal first and then slaughter so that it feels and knows very little and the suffering is kept to an absolute minimum.

Please read this short and simple article by HOMA KHALEELI from the Guardian Newspaper which appears to make a complete mockery of Halal meat as it seems only 10% of Halal Meat sold in these Halal butchers is Actually Halal anywayl!!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2010/sep/20/halal-meat-the-truth

Halal food is everywhere. According to recent news reports, it might have been "secretly" snuck into your sandwich at a football match or fed to your "unwitting" child in their school dinner. It's also found in hospital canteens, pubs and sporting venues. But what is this frightening food that the Mail on Sunday proclaims is being "prepared in accordance with Sharia law"?

The definition of halal is anything that is legal or lawful for Muslims. In terms of meat, this can apply to what kind of animal is used (not pigs, for instance) and the way they are killed: an animal must be healthy, the butcher must make a recitation dedicating it to God, and the jugular vein, carotid artery and windpipe are cut with a single swipe from a sharp knife. As with kosher meat, the idea is that the animal dies immediately and the blood drains away. Animal rights groups have been quoted this week saying that "the suffering caused by this form of slaughter is . . . severe".

Yet things are not as simple as they seem. Shimon Cohen, from Shechita UK, a group set up to promote awareness of Jewish methods of slaughter, and Ruksana Shain, from behalal.org, insist that cutting an individual animal's throat in a single swipe is less cruel than stunning it first by driving a bolt into its skull, gassing it or electrocuting it. Despite this, the halal food authority, which certifies meat for outlets such as KFC, controversially allows animals that are stunned before being killed to be certified as halal. And, according to an RSPCA fact sheet, 90% of animals killed for halal food in 2004 were stunned first. As in mainstream food production, the animal's throat is then cut.

So this supposedly sinister method, it seems, is not that different after all. What the RSPCA, halal groups and kosher experts all agree on is that better labelling is needed so consumers know how their food has been prepared.

Article by Homa Khaleeli The Guardian 20/9/10

Hi Stagegurl,

Your boyfriends halal market sounds more promising than the next brand name supermarket, mind if you spill the name of the store? Is it close to NYC? More so, the Staten Island borough?

If not, would your boyfriend (as a halal meat owner) have any recommendations for trusting halal meat markets in my area?

Thanks

Actually the animal is killed via a single cut through the jugular. Allowing the animal to bleed out is because Muslims can not ingest blood. Animals do not die from bloodloss- the cut through the throat is what kills them.

The removal of the animal from the other animals in the area is also necessary because seeing another animal slaughtered would bring undue stress and fear to the other animals.

I'm sorry but this is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Praying to make the animal suffer less? What people seem to miss is that DEFRA has been trying to ban (after lengthy investigations into the cruelty of the process) but are unable to, due to Religious grounds. Well, surprise surprise! Some Religious eejits, take a 2000 year old 'tradition' and decide that letting an animal bleed to death is somehow clean and better because the poor old darlings can't digest blood? Jeez. How tasteless this poor animal would be too. Just don't understand why pork (Best meat on the planet) is not deemed to be edible? Please, enlighten me.

Here's what a friend in Sweden sent me about Hilal butchering. Granted, this may not be typical (the place in the video) but the killing sure doesn't look 'humane' to me: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=212494558895758

@Shiv

With all due respect, let me enlighten you - you don't have concern whether an animal suffers a painful death or relatively a peaceful death. All you've in your head is desire to confront Islam/Muslim. And this is evident from how you questioned about pork.

There are many places on internet where people like you help themselves by engaging in hatred and communal arguments. With all due respect, please get out from here at the end of reading this reply.

If you are an atheist, I don't see any reason why religious recitations should matter to you. And if you are sensitive towards animals I respect that, and at the same time I request you to refrain targeting religion. If you are both (an atheist and an animal lover) then there is no point in discussing as you won't hold any common ground with freaks like me!

No one is stopping you from eating what you like; go and have it all your life. The 2000 year old tradition has helped human race across ages. Being an ordinary Muslim and a common man focused on other more important aspects of my life , I don't need to study any pros and cons of eating halaal meet, but let me tell you that "today's" science also acknowledges benefits of halaal meet. The decision rests on an individual.

And what process would you exactly suggest @shiv if the halal way is very cruel?? Would you prefer electrocuting the animal or suffocating it to death? Both ways would still keep all the blood in the meat just like how you like it. If you feel so bad for the animals due to the way they are killed, then I recommend a vegetarian diet to you , but that will unfortunately include your ( best meat on the planet)-pig