Halal Food Industry Essay Example

any other host country. Fast food, an American concept, does not raise concerns about its impact on French culture. The emergence of Halal restaurants is likely a response to the connection with France's diversity. Should we support the parliamentary member Jacques Myard, who opposes the opening of new Halal Restaurants and speaks about the increased phenomenon of "ghettoization" based on one's origins?

It is true that neighborhoods of Chinese, Jews or Muslims can be established, without threatening the identity of the country concerned. This also happens in the U.S., and in fact seems to enrich the country's identity. According to data, the attendance has doubled, resulting in the creation of an average of 25 jobs to meet the demand for Halal service. These positive results have prevented the closure of Halal outlets, and Halal has become part of the global trend towards organic and healthy products.

Currently, people worldwide have specific demands that are not limited to local regions. The Halal industry in Europe has experienced rapid growth in the consumer segments, making Halal a mainstream market among the region's approximately 30 million Muslims. Recognizing the popularity of Halal, major retailers have created prominent sections in their stores dedicated to Halal products. These retailers now offer a broader range of Halal certified food and beverage items, with French retailers specifically sourcing Halal food from the Western Hemisphere.

The growth of the food and beverage industry in France and London is primarily driven by second and third generation Muslims who are proud of their cultural and religious roots. These individuals want to distinguish themselves from previous generations and their consumption is heavily influenced

by their ancestors' countries of origin. In Europe, around 80 percent of Halal food products are sold through ethnic stores and butcher shops located in residential areas. It is important to note that while meat makes up a significant portion of Halal food, the majority sold in butcher shops is not certified or branded.

Who is consuming Halal Food and why? The worldwide Halal market is worth around 150ˆ billion, with Europe accounting for 15ˆ billion and France for about 1.5-3ˆ billion. The Halal market is experiencing significant growth in France, primarily driven by the 5 million Muslims who reside there and follow Islamic dietary guidelines. This has led to a high demand for Halal products, prompting restaurants and supermarkets to cater to this market, which is estimated to be worth 5.5 billion Euros. France boasts the largest Islamic population in Europe, which has been established for several decades.

Halal foods, which are authorized by Islamic authorities, are now becoming available in mainstream supermarkets in France as businesses compete for a share of this expanding market. Quick, a fast-food chain, has several burger bars that exclusively serve halal food. There is also a rise in Muslim corner shops that specialize in selling only halal foods and drinks, such as eggs, turkey-bacon, pork-free sausages, and alcohol-free "champagne" called Cham'Alal. Additionally, halal foie gras, introduced to supermarket chains two years ago after the Muslim feast of Ramadan, has enjoyed unexpected success.

The growth of the Halal food industry in France is celebrated on a Muslim website, which is linked at Francois Desouche. The website highlights the positive impact of the Halal business on the

French economy and emphasizes that Muslims, who are often unfairly targeted by certain politicians with demagogic and stigmatizing speeches, are actually valuable assets to France. Not only do they contribute to the country's internal economy, but they also have a positive influence on France's reputation abroad. According to the Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), in November 2009, Muslims were acknowledged for their contribution to French agriculture by bringing good fortune through the following ways:

Every year, sheep farmers eagerly anticipate the aid al-adha holiday (a holiday during which sheep are slaughtered despite efforts by animal rights groups). These farmers are financially exploited by large corporations who purchase their meat at incredibly low prices. Despite facing poverty, the farmers persist in holding onto their animals to drive up prices. Additionally, major agro businesses have been saved by Muslim consumers. Les Echos, an economics-focused website, revealed that companies such as Charal, Doux, Socopa, and Duc owe their survival to their investment in this particular market.

It is not surprising that nearly half of French lamb is Halal, and the conversion to Halal allowed Quick to save eight restaurants. Halal food and Muslim consumers are beneficial to France's economy. Many entrepreneurs recognize this and invest in the market, sometimes under questionable circumstances, such as Doux selling chickens falsely labeled as Halal with the approval of the Paris mosque. A quick look at some of Metro Company's providers shows that the French industry is profiting from Halal.

The controversy surrounding Halal certification revolves around its application to both meat and non-meat products. Certification requirements for Halal food products differ from country to country, making

it crucial to determine the specific criteria with each customer. Unlike phytosanitary requirements, Halal is viewed as a religious attestation rather than a government-imposed standard. The government's involvement in Halal certification is limited to assigning the three main mosques the authority to distribute permits for Halal slaughterers.

In terms of regulating Halal labels, the government does not currently have a role. This lack of government oversight has led to French consumers being skeptical of products labeled as Halal. Experts estimate that only 5-10% of the meat sold in France as Halal is actually produced according to the Koran's definition of halal. It is commonly believed that some butchers label their meat as Halal based on the nationality of the slaughterer or storeowner, without following the appropriate Halal rituals.

Imams are discouraging their followers from purchasing meat from specific butcher shops due to the lack of confidence in Halal labels. Private agency halal certification is increasing as the market for halal products grows. Various private agencies, including A Votre Service (AVS) and the Muslim Conseil International (MCI), offer halal certification for both meat and non-meat food products, considering the standards set by the three main mosques to be inadequate. Additionally, authorization for Halal Ritual Slaughterers is also involved.

According to the French Interior Ministry and the French Agricultural and Fisheries Ministry, only the Grand Mosques of Paris, Evry, and Lyon have the authority to issue permits to slaughterers who perform Halal sacrifices. In India, Muslims are allowed to use products with vegetarian logos, as they are free from Haram elements, which are the opposite of Halal. It is estimated that Muslim consumers in

India only account for 10% of the total private consumption expenditure.

Certification of products as authentic Halal requires consideration of processed and contaminated products, which may have a high risk of Haram ingredients due to changes in shape. It is important to understand that the introduction of the Halal tag on conventional products is not meant as a campaign solely for Muslims, but rather aims to include Muslim consumers who may have been overlooked due to religious restrictions. In India, there is currently a lack of serious investors and promoters for Halal-endorsed products.

Al Kabeer, Allanasons, Alhind, and Vinkeys dominate the Halal meat processing industry in India, offering a wide range of products under their individual brands. In addition to the Halal food market, there is significant discussion surrounding Islamic finance in India, particularly in relation to Halal financial services. The expansion of Halal markets has extended beyond food, encompassing sectors such as cosmetics, logistics, fashion, and tour and travel services catered to Muslim-friendly preferences.