Al Islami urges regional authorities to launch 'common halal standards'

In line with the GCC Common Market launched on January 1, Al Islami Foods has urged the local authorities to consolidate the strength of region's halal market in consultation with the key stakeholders so that the local markets develop capabilities to compete with the international players.

These recommendations were presented by Mustafa Jassem, Marketing Manager, Al Islami Foods, a leading halal food producer in the Middle East, to recently held Global Halal and Islamic Business Forum at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Delegates who participated in the forum were from the Middle East, United States, Europe and Southeast Asia participated in the forum.

Mustafa's comprehensive presentation to the global audience touched central issues prevailing the halal industry such as consumer dilemma about ‘real halal', Guidelines and Standardisation, Rules and Regulations, Best Practices, Research and Development, Hygiene and Safety and the total absence of market data on the size of halal food business and demand in the GCC region.

Defining the ‘real halal', Mustafa said that the concept of ‘halal meat' in Islam must go beyond the rituals of slaughtering to include the way the animals are raised as part of social responsibility of the corporate world. Food researchers suggested tastier, healthier, more nutritious as new additions to the definition of halal food.

Halal has so wider scope that it has diversified itself into fashion, education, business, finance, health and cosmetics. In addition, Muslim travelers now demand halal food while going abroad on business trips, for education and medication or for holidays.

Today's consumer is more concerned about real halal in terms of the ingredients and certification while the international halal industry is developing at a rapid pace with different countries, regional players and corporations pursuing various aspects and opportunities of this $2.1 trillion global halal food market a year.

The Islamic consumer market is the fastest-growing in the world. To harness it, benchmarks are being developed by Southeast Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East. However, there is a dire need to launch global standards acceptable to all regions and religions.

About Al Islami Foods

Established as CO-OP ISLAMI in 1981 to cater to the growing demand for halal food in the Arab world, AL ISLAMI FOODS was formed as a result of the long relentless efforts commenced in the early seventies when Hajj Saeed Bin Ahmad Lootah instituted Dubai Co-operative Society.

Starting with its successful frozen chicken product line, AL ISLAMI FOODS further expanded its operations to include processed meat.

In 1991, Dubai Co-operative Society's efforts were culminated by establishing its "CO-OP ISLAMI" meat processing plant in Jebel Ali Free Zone. This plant is considered a recognisable breakthrough as it became the real producer of a variety of food products under the name "CO-OP ISLAMI.

In 2006, CO-OP ISLAMI was re-launched as AL ISLAMI FOODS in an effort to propel the company to new heights of success. Now, Al Islami Foods products are considered as a quality benchmark trusted by consumers across the UAE and the GCC, and this has made it one of the best and most preferred brands in the region.