ABSTRACT

This chapter deals with many aspects of food production that wrap around the food in different ways. These varied aspects might seem unrelated and out of place here, but these are peripheral issues that touch the food and Muslim consumers’ psyche one way or the other. The following topics will be briefly dealt with in this chapter:

Labeling products for Muslim markets

Halal issues in labels and printing

Packaging food in a halal environment

Packaging materials and containers

Waxes, coatings, and edible films

Labels are for the benefit of the consumer and should be quite descriptive, clear, and meaningful. Usually the ingredient label does not list the origin of the ingredients. Hidden ingredients such as processing aids, anticaking agents, carriers, and incidental ingredients from various sources present another serious problem for Muslim consumers. For example, magnesium or calcium stearates are used in the manufacturing of candy and chewing gum without mention of the origin of the stearates (Uddin, 1994). Some European manufacturers use up to 5% vegetable or animal fat in their product and are still able to label it pure chocolate. In many cases, it is not feasible to list every major and minor ingredient on the label. Halal

the doubt for consumers.