Over the past two years, plant-based food consumption has grown by 49% across the EU, reaching a total sales volume of €3.6 billion.
UK: AHDB provides quality standard mark for halal lamb
2025-05-15
existAHDB (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board)UK halal lamb could be labelled with a new supply chain quality assurance mark under plans to support lamb producers in an increasingly important market.
2011Years, accounting for the UK4.6%of the Muslim population24%of mutton consumption,16%Domestic lamb consumption,AHDBThis proportion is expected to increase in the coming years.
Two marks will be used to label meat, one that has been reversibly stunned and one that indicates meat that has been slaughtered without being stunned according to traditional halal rules, although the label will not mention whether it has been stunned.
Reversible shocks are delivered by shocking the animal's head and do not kill it.
If the reversible shock product is produced on an approved farm, it may also receive a farm quality assurance logo, such as Red Tractor, although this is not mandatory for labelling.
Specific policies:
AHDBIt said it would develop a best practice guide for traditional slaughter methods, detailing the slaughter process to ensure minimum welfare for the animals.
A third method of slaughter will also be accepted where the animals are frightened after being slaughtered as they remain conscious for a long period of time. These will be called frightened halal.
AHDBTo qualify for the new trademark, they must have a recognised premises assurance scheme covering standards for welfare, storage, hygiene and food safety, labelling and traceability, the company said.
Each site is also required to have a written halal policy that specifies how much halal products are expected to be produced, production controls, and how non-halal products are segregated.
In addition, there is a requirement for a halal inspector or management team to enforce the decision.
AHDBIt is also proposed that strict regulations on pork be introduced as part of the plan to prevent slaughtering and ensure that pork and halal meat are physically separated during storage and transportation.
These markings may be associated with rules of origin in order to enable future exports.
AHDBThe plan is under discussion and the deadline is8moon30day.