Halal flavourings launched on market
halal-certified flavourings, many of which can be used in the
bakery industry, as part of a bid to tap into booming Asian
markets.
Like many food firms, SAFC is now ensuring that many of its products are officially deemed Halal, so that the company can market and sell its products to Muslims worldwide. According to IslamicPopulation.com, Muslims worldwide currently number 1.5 billion, making the Halal market potentially very lucrative for manufacturers. "We are extremely pleased to receive Halal certification from the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America," said Judy Pruss, marketing manager for SAFC Supply Solutions. "This certification is very important to key Middle East and Asia markets, where we anticipate our Halal-certified F&F products will be well received." The flavourings designed for use in raw bakery products, confectionery, beverages, ice cream and meat products, the company said. About 350 products from the Flavours and Frangrances (F&F) product line have been Halal certified, Pruss said, and the company hopes to add to the range by the end of the year. These products also comply with all the necessary EU regulations, including EC/178/2002, 88/388/EEC and 21 CFR 110, she added. Chemical company SAFC is a subsidiary of Sigma-Aldrich, a company that focuses on high-purity inorganics for high technology applications. The company also provides materials for the pharma, bioscience and supply solution industries. The Halal market is currently a massive area of growth, as Muslims in Asia increasingly have greater consumer power, and second generation Muslims in Europe and the US want to follow the dietary laws of their faith without compromising on taste or quality. Though the global market for Halal food has never been measured, industry estimates of its value range from $150bn (€110bn) to $500bn (€368bn). According to the UK Halal Food Authority, most foods are Halal apart from those which are Haram (unlawful or prohibited). Foods deemed 'Haram' by the Qu'ran include swine or pork, alcohol, any product containing blood, and birds of prey and land animals without external ears. Meat products are Halal but only if slaughtered in a certain way; that is, the animal is not already dead prior to slaughter; the blood is allowed to drain away; and the slaughter is carried out by a Muslim individual. While many products appear to be Halal on first glance, many Muslims prefer to purchase a product that has been recognised as such by a respected authority.
