is certified angus beef halal

Is Certified Angus Beef Halal? Exploring Religious Dietary Laws

For those who follow Islamic dietary laws, determining if a food is halal, meaning permissible, is an important consideration. So is Certified Angus Beef considered halal? Let’s take a close look at what defines halal foods and how beef fits in.

Halal Food Requirements

The Arabic word halal refers to any object or action permissible under Islamic law. When it comes to food for meat to be considered halal the animal must be slaughtered according to Islamic ritual procedure. This includes reciting a blessing, severing the carotid artery, vein and windpipe in one swipe, and allowing blood to fully drain from the carcass.

In addition, the animal must be in good health at the time of slaughter and all flowing blood must be completely removed from the meat before consumption Pork and carnivorous animals are haram or forbidden. Seafood is generally halal as long as it was caught alive and died from being pulled out of the water.

Frequency of entities:
Halal – 6
Islamic dietary laws – 2
Islamic law – 2
Permissible – 2
Food – 3
Meat – 3
Animal – 2
Slaughtered – 1
Islamic ritual – 1
Reciting blessing – 1
Carotid artery – 1
Vein – 1
Windpipe – 1
Blood drain – 1
Good health – 1
Slaughter – 1
Pork – 1
Carnivorous animals – 1
Haram – 1
Seafood – 1
Caught alive – 1
Pulled from water – 1

Certified Angus Beef Production

Certified Angus Beef (CAB) cattle are typically born and raised conventionally on ranches and farms in the U.S. and Canada. They spend most of their lives grazing on pasture before transitioning to a grain-finished diet. CAB sets 10 quality specifications for marbling, texture and flavor that only the top 3 in 10 Angus meet.

Cattle are processed at federally inspected slaughterhouses adhering to standard industry procedures. Though not slaughtered in a ritual halal manner, beef byproducts and blood are completely removed during processing. Cattle are in good health when harvested and beef is cleaned of all fluids.

Frequency of entities:
Certified Angus Beef (CAB) – 3
Cattle – 2
Born and raised – 1
Ranches and farms – 1
U.S. and Canada – 1
Grazing on pasture – 1
Grain-finished diet – 1
10 quality specifications – 1
3 in 10 Angus – 1
Slaughterhouses – 1
Standard industry procedures – 1
Not slaughtered halal – 1
Beef byproducts removed – 1
Blood removed – 1
Good health – 1
Harvested – 1
Beef cleaned – 1

Considering CAB Halal Certification

Since CAB cattle are not ritually slaughtered by Muslim slaughtermen, the beef itself does not fully meet halal standards. However, all cattle blood is drained and beef is processed to be completely free of it. For these reasons, some interpret CAB beef to be halal if certified halal at the point of service.

Individual halal certifying organizations set their own standards. For instance, the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) offers halal certification of qualified products with proper oversight at restaurants and retail. CAB could potentially allow its beef to be certified halal in this manner.

Ultimately, interpretations vary on whether conventionally slaughtered beef can be considered halal. Those seeking CAB beef that meets halal rules may find certified options at certain outlets. But standard CAB products are not certified halal across the board.

Frequency of entities:
CAB cattle – 1
Not ritually slaughtered – 1
Muslim slaughtermen – 1
Halal standards – 1
Cattle blood drained – 1
Free of blood – 1
Halal at point of service – 1
Halal certifying organizations – 1
Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) – 1
Halal certification – 2
Restaurants and retail – 1
CAB halal certification – 1
Conventionally slaughtered – 1
Certified halal – 2
Standard CAB products – 1
Not certified halal – 1

Frequency of entities:
Halal manner – 1
Certified halal – 1
Religious authorities – 1
All blood removed – 1
No cross-contamination – 1
Processing and handling – 1
CAB halal certification – 1
Local restaurants – 1
Followers Islamic law – 1
Quality and flavor – 1
CAB beef – 1
Good conscience – 1