Moslem Meal or Halal Meal

While airlines are reducing meal and snack service, they still offer a number of special meals for passengers with various dietary needs. Among the offerings are Moslem or Muslim meals, bland meals, diabetic meals, gluten free meals, low sodium meals, seafood meals, vegetarian meals, Hindu meals and Kosher meals. Not all airlines offer all these meal choices. For example, America West does not offer a Muslim meal. What is a Moslem meal?

Most US airlines specify a Muslim meal as one that does not contain products derived from pork, such as bacon and sausage; alcohol; eel or animal fats. Allowed items are fresh fruits; fresh vegetables; yogurt; nuts; rice; corn; pasta; eggs; herb and spices; cheese and dairy products and beans. If available, meat and poultry slaughtered according to specific Halal methods. For some reason, Continental Airlines goes on to say that special rules apply during the month of Ramadan when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset.

(We should note that most yogurts contain gelatin and since most of the commercially available gelatin is not Halal, yogurt containing gelatin is not likely to be suitable for a Halal consumer. There may also be some question about the enzymes used in any cheese products.)

For the most part, the definition seems acceptable but how does it match the practice? I recently traveled on flights where meals were served and ordered Muslim meals. With the exception of one flight on which I was served chicken and rice, the other flights offered me a very spicy mixed bean, corn and rice meal.

So what should a Moslem or Muslim meal be? First of all, the meals should be referred to as Halal meals, not Muslim meals. The dietary standard is Halal, not Muslim. Non-Muslims as well as Muslims consume halal meals. And the meals should not be confined to one ethnic type. A Halal meal should be made with Halal certified ingredients. It should contain Halal meat, poultry or fish; fresh vegetables; rice or other grain; should not be over-spiced but just seasoned to taste; should include a Halal dessert; Halal bread; and a Halal salad with dressing on the side, etc. It should be sealed in a way to prevent contamination during handling and serving. In other words, it can look like the regular meal service on the flight, except it should be made with Halal certified ingredients and it should contain a statement to that effect. And it should be available on all flights where a meal is served.

The current list of Muslim meals may be a great advance from a decade ago but it still falls short of the proper selection for Halal meals. Muslims should continue to request Halal meals and insist on a proper quality and variety of meals. And by all means, provide feedback so the airlines have information to improve their offerings.