Halal scandal goes wholesale

Cafes, restaurants and takeaways across the country are unwittingly selling halal meat to unsuspecting customers.

A Sunday Post investigation has discovered much of the chicken and lamb sold by the biggest wholesale supplier to the High Street is halal.

But the firm Booker Wholesale has come under-fire after critics accused them of not making the practice clear on their labels.

Last night, Willie MacLeod, of the British Hospitality Association, said: “It’s vital customers know how the animals they eat have been slaughtered.”

Booker Wholesale has 172 branches across the UK and almost 500,000 customers, including corner shops, grocers, cinemas, leisure outlets, pubs and restaurants.

Our reporter visited two Booker outlets last week to see how much of its meat range was halal.

We discovered much of the frozen chicken and lamb sold including their own Chef’s Larder products was ritualistically slaughtered.

Out of the 16 frozen chicken products we found, 14 were halal.

However, out of these products only one had a label that said it was “halal” in English.

The rest of the products were simply stamped with “halal” written in Arabic in small writing on the back.

Other chicken products sold by the firm also only had a small “halal” label written in Arabic.

One caf owner, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I was surprised to discover I’d been selling chicken to my customers that was halal.

“I think customers would be shocked at how many of them are eating halal without knowing.”

Jim Winship, of the British Sandwich Association, said: “Cash and carry businesses should make the source of their food much more obvious.”

Alex Fergusson rural spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives, added: “I can understand people’s concerns if they feel labels are unclear of the source of meat for some foods.”

Dr Shuja Shafi, deputy secretary general for the Muslim Council of Britain, called for clear labelling of products.

In a letter co-written with other religious leaders, he said: “Comprehensive labelling should be supported by faith communities and animal welfare groups alike.”

Halal meat sees animals having their throats cut while alive, in line with Islamic law.

It is estimated up to 80% of halal animals are stunned before dying.

But 20% aren’t leading animal welfare campaigners to slam the practice.

It takes up to two minutes for cows, and 30 seconds for lamb and chickens to lose consciousness after their throat has been cut, according to studies.

An RSPCA spokeswoman said: “We have campaigned long and hard to remove any exceptions to the slaughter of animals.

“Although the vast majority are stunned it still leaves thousands dying after having their throats cut while conscious.”

A Booker spokesperson said: “Booker takes welfare standards very seriously. All of our own brand meat has been stunned prior to slaughter.”

But she was unable to say if other Halal products sold in their shops was stunned.