Halal Food: General Principles and Detailed Classification

Halal is an Arabic word meaning 'permitted.' Most food and drink is considered halal, unless expressly forbidden by halal rules. General standards for halal food A healthy, hygienic production process and clean appearance. It will not harm or affect the normal function of the body and mind. Permitted animals are slaughtered in the manner prescribed by halal rules. The four principles of halal slaughter The slaughterer must be a Muslim. The animal must be alive and healthy before slaughter. Slaughter with a sharp blade. The animal's trachea and esophagus must be completely severed. Halal standards for animals, plants and beverages Halal standards for different animals Mammals: Carnivores: not permitted to eat, non-halal. Herbivores: mostly halal, except domestic donkeys, animals slaughtered in a name other than God's, animals not slaughtered according to Islamic law, and carrion. Omnivores: except pigs (domestic and wild boar), animals harmful to humans, intoxicating animals and those not slaughtered the halal way, the rest are basically halal. Fish: all halal except fish that are unclean or contaminated by unclean, harmful, poisonous or intoxicating substances. Birds: all halal except birds that are unclean, or contaminated by unclean, harmful, poisonous or intoxicating substances, or that hunt with talons. Crustaceans: such as crab, lobster, crayfish and prawns — mostly halal and edible. Amphibians: such as frogs and toads — all amphibians are non-halal. Reptiles: such as crocodiles, lizards, snakes, soft-shelled turtles and tortoises — all reptiles are non-halal. Halal standards for plants All plants are halal except the following two: poisonous or harmful ones; plant derivatives contaminated by unclean plants. Halal standards for beverages All beverages are halal except the following three: poisonous or harmful ones; intoxicating drinks; drinks contaminated by unclean substances. In short, the detailed classification of all animals, plants and beverages follows the general principles of halal food: clean, hygienic, healthy and compliant with halal rules.