Halal or not?
Is pork halal?
No! No pork or pork byproducts are considered halal (aka they are HARAM)
This tricky ingredient can often be found in jellos, gummies, and marshmallows
Gelatin! Common sources include pigskin, cattle hide/bones, fish skin/scales. Fish based, halal certified, and non-animal gelatin are acceptable.
Who can eat halal food?
Everyone! Any student is welcome to select a halal meal - Halal is for all!
Should halal products be stored above or below non-halal products?
Above! In shared storage areas, halal products should always be stored on top to avoid cross contamination
Are fruits and vegetables halal?
Yes, as long as they are by themselves they are good to go!
Is vanilla (or other alcohol-based flavoring) allowed in halal meals?
Yes! While alcohol is not allowed, naturally present and unavoidable alcohol (e.g. Fresh fruit) and industrial alcohol used for extraction and dissolving is allowed
What school districts currently serve halal certified meals?
Currently only Portland, Westbrook, and South Portland Schools! Our champions <3
How do we know which products in storage are halal or non-halal?
All storage areas for halal food should be clearly labeled as designated to halal ingredients. Halal meat and non-halal meat should be stored with a “neutral” item in between them so the meats are never confused
Is all fish naturally halal?
Yes! Fish with scales are universally accepted. However, shellfish and crustaceans are not accepted by some groups
What makes halal meat halal?
The animal must be of a halal species (ex: chicken, beef, goat) AND the animal must be slaughtered according to Islamic Law with humane handling
Can reusable silverware/trays be used with both halal and non-halal meals?
Yes! Silverware sanitized with a cleaning solution in hot water is acceptable
How is halal meal awareness different than allergen awareness?
It's not! Halal food preparation should be treated like an allergen to avoid any cross contamination
Are milk and eggs halal?
Yes! Milk and eggs from halal animals are halal. It just gets tricky when dairy products like cheese or yogurt have non-halal enzymes...
These ingredients are often hiding in cheeses and might make them non-halal
Rennet and Enzymes
Can halal and non-halal items be served next to each other?
Halal items and non-halal items should not be served next to each other unless they are sealed/wrapped or there is adequate separation, such as a plexiglass splash guard
Can cheese pizza and ham pizza be cooked on the same tray at the same time?
Halal food items should not share equipment with pork items