The growth of the halal food industry with the increase in the Muslim population

Eleven years ago, the recipe for the popular McCain Deep'n Delicious chocolate cake changed. Although for many Canadians, the removal of beef gelatin from cake ingredients was not noticed, it was a joy for Muslims who are used to checking the ingredients of food products. It is easier than ever to find halal meat, snacks and desserts in grocery stores. because this industry has expanded in response to the increase in the Canadian Muslim population, and this demand is not expected to decrease anytime soon.

According to the 2021 census, nearly five percent of Canadians are Muslim. This number has more than doubled since 2001, and immigration is the main cause. Statistics Canada data show that approximately 19 percent of immigrants admitted between 2011 and 2021 were Muslims.

Umar Subdar, imam of the congregation and also one of the founders of the Halal Products Monitoring Authority (HMA), said, "Since there is a demand for halal products, the industry is paying more attention to it and as a result more products have entered the shelves. In order for the meat to be halal, it must be slaughtered in the Islamic way. Muslims do not eat certain types of meat, especially pork.

He added, the issue is not only meat. Animal by-products such as gelatin (eg in marshmallows) or rennet (found in many cheeses) must also be halal, which are now available on Muslim store shelves.

Halal consumer products or other food products should also be free of alcohol. Subdar said the HMA was set up in 2006 to deal with irregularities and fraud in the halal food industry.

But over time, department stores have also realized that they need to invest more in halal products. The 2022 study found that large food companies are increasingly catering to shoppers looking for halal products.

"Metro" store is one of the largest grocery stores in Canada that fulfills the demand for halal meat for Muslims.

news source