Travelling to a foreign country can be exciting, but it can also be a source of stress if you
observe a religious diet, such as halal. When in a foreign country, it can be challenging to
determine the halal status of the food you are eating, and you may find yourself in a situation
where you don’t know what you can and can’t eat.
What is Halal?
Adhering to Islamic teachings, halal foods are deemed “lawful or permissible” to consume.
Conversely, haram, or & “forbidden” food, is not allowed. As culture and diversity expand, it is important to consider the dietary needs of those around us. Offering halal food is an excellent way to show respect for different backgrounds and help ensure everyone feels included.
There are a few steps you can take to ensure that you are eating halal food. In this article, we’ll discuss how to determine the halal status of food while travelling so that you can enjoy your trips without worrying about what you can and can’t eat.
1. A Halal Sign (Muslim-Owned or Muslim-Run)
If you’re eating at a Muslim-owned or Muslim-run food establishment, you can generally trust that the food is Halal. However, not all countries have Halal certification standards, so you may need to be extra vigilant regarding what you eat. Be mindful of what you’re ordering and check to ensure it’s suitable for your dietary needs.
2. No Halal Sign, but the Owner Claims the Meat Is Halal
If you are not sure whether the food served in a restaurant is Halal, you can ask the owner or employees if they are Muslim and if they can confirm the food is permissible according to Islamic law. If you need help, you can ask to see documents from the suppliers that guarantee the ingredients are Halal.
3. A Mix of Halal and Haram Food
In simpler terms, this is a situation where a restaurant says that it serves food that follows the Islamic dietary laws of Halal. Still, it serves alcoholic beverages or non-Halal food items such as pork and its derivatives. This is a difficult situation to be in, as it goes against the dietary laws of Islam and can cause confusion among customers.
4. Kosher
If you are living in the United States and have difficulty finding Halal meat, you can find Kosher meat instead, which is much more widely available and is made more strictly than Halal meat. Allah is encouraging us to look for options to fulfil our dietary needs and ensure we eat in an acceptable manner.
5. Seafood
Cooking with alcohol is common in the Western world when preparing seafood. If it is difficult to find Halal food, seafood is a good alternative to meat. However, when ordering seafood, it is important to tell the chef that you do not want any alcohol in the dish. You can explain that you are allergic to alcohol so that the chef knows not to put any in your food.
Conclusion
Determining the halal status of food while travelling can be a challenge. It is important to always check the ingredients of food before consuming it, as this will help ensure that the food is indeed halal. With these few tips, Muslims can travel with peace of mind, knowing their food is truly halal.
Discover Australia’s best halal restaurants! If you want to order halal burgers and other food options, browse through the website of Halal Advisor today. We feature various halal food items from different restaurants that will catch your attention. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
