What makes a butcher shop halal or kosher, how certification works, and how halal and kosher butchers differ from a regular butcher.
What makes meat halal
Halal means "permissible" in Arabic. For meat, Islamic dietary law requires that the animal be of a permitted species (pork is prohibited), that it be slaughtered by a Muslim who invokes the name of God, and that it be killed with a swift cut to the throat so that the blood drains. The term zabiha is often used for meat slaughtered by hand in this way.
Practices differ in the details, for example on whether pre-slaughter stunning or mechanical slaughter is acceptable. That is why many customers ask a halal butcher which certifying body or standard it follows.
What makes meat kosher
Kosher meat must come from a permitted animal (for mammals, one that chews its cud and has split hooves, such as cattle, sheep and goats), be slaughtered by a trained shochet using the method called shechita, and pass an inspection of the animal's organs. The meat is then soaked and salted to draw out blood. "Glatt" originally refers to lungs found free of certain adhesions and is now widely used as a stricter standard.
Kosher law also forbids mixing meat and dairy, so a kosher butcher or kosher deli will not sell dairy products alongside its meat. In the United States, cuts from the hindquarter are rarely sold as kosher because preparing them is labor-intensive.
Certification
Both halal and kosher status are normally confirmed by an independent certifying organization whose symbol appears on packaging or in the store. Standards vary between organizations. If it matters to you, ask the store which organization supervises it, and check that the certificate is current.
How they differ from a regular butcher
- Sourcing: halal and kosher shops buy from slaughterhouses operating under the relevant supervision, which limits suppliers and usually raises prices.
- Range: a kosher butcher will not sell pork, shellfish or meat-and-dairy products; a halal butcher will not sell pork or alcohol-based products.
- Supervision: a certifier may inspect the shop or have a supervisor on site.
- Not every Jewish deli is kosher, and not every shop that sells some halal products is a fully halal butcher. When in doubt, ask.