What is halal meat?

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Halal meat must be prepared in a certain way Credit: Ingo Wagner/DPA/Press Association Images

The word halal means 'permissible' or 'lawful'.

  • The animal must have been fed a natural diet that does not contain animal by-products.

  • Blood must not be consumed so the animal must be completely drained of blood before it is eaten.

  • The animal must not be unconscious when it is killed.

  • Before the animal is killed they will be turned to face Mecca, the name of Allah is spoken and their throat is then cut.

  • Animals should be killed with an incision to the throat from a sharp razor blade. They must never see another animal being slaughtered nor see the blade being sharpened.

  • Meat from pigs is not allowed and other meat must not come into contact with pork.

  • Halal food must not be prepared with non-halal food. This includes using the same knife to cut different types of meat.