Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Halal Food

One problem as a Muslim in Australia is how to find Halal food. Particularly me and muslim community who live in the country (non-metropolitan Australia) such in Bendigo. Muslims who live in Melbourne and Sydney have better access to get Halal food in certain restaurants and butchers whose owners are coming from Middle Eastern (Lebanese), Turkish, Pakistan and India with strong Islamic culture.

In Bendigo, with very small Muslim population, so far only two restaurants that have Halal certificate, first is Lady Sultan Turkish Kebab that owned by a Turkish family and second, Nando's Chicken a franchise restaurant that obtain Halal recognition from Islamic Council of Victoria. Previously, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) was certified as Halal as they cook chicken from Ingham (a Halal Chicken slaughter company). However, about six months ago Ingham has had been declared as non-Halal so that all three KFC' restaurants in Bendigo should be refrained.

But Alhamdulillah, we have no difficulties to buy Halal chicken in Supermarket here. Some companies such as Hazeldens, Baiada, Lilydale and Steggles are granted Halal Certificate from AFIC (Australian Federation of Islamic Council). Their products can be found easily in every Supermarket; IGA, Safeway and Coles. Although there is no Halal label in their products, but we can check their Halal accreditation information from their website.

For you who need further information about Halal Chicken and Meats in Bendigo, you can check my other blog on : http://bendigomoslem.multiply.com/














Picture from www.maitredefoods.com.au