Is Arby’s Halal in the U.S.?
Understanding Halal in Islam
Before addressing your question, I think it’s appropriate to clarify the concept of halal in Islam. Halal is an Arabic word meaning lawful, during an Islamic context. And, for a food item to be classified as halal, it has to fulfill the following criteria:
- Halal Meat Requirements: The animal must be slaughtered in accordance with Islamic practices, which essentially requires that slaughtering be done after a prayer (“Bismillah” and “Allahu Akbar”) to guarantee that all blood has been drained from the meat. In addition, that meat must never have had contact with any item that is haram such as alcohol or pork.
- Non-Meat Considerations: Other components that are non-meat products like alcohol, gelatin amongst others that are not halal are also deemed haram and therefore need to be excluded from halal meals.
Do Arby’s Use Halal Meat in Their Nationwide Branches Across the U.S.?
To commence, at most of Arby’s outlets in the United States, the premises do not sell any type of halal-certified meat. For these outlets, that means the accurate term used to describe the type of meat that is used on their sandwiches such as beef, chicken, and turkey is non-halal.
- Obtaining and Primal Cuts of Meat: The suppliers to whom Arby’s resorts to meat do not practice halal slaughtering, which might probably explain why the roast beef, chicken, and other meat offerings do not possess halal certification. Furthermore, due to the practice of shared cooking surfaces and equipment, many of the meat garnishing might have traces of haram.
- No American Franchise of Arby’s Halal Certification: Contrary to some fast food organizations, in the case of Arby’s, they do not have a certification which is halal in relation to its U.S. franchise. Halal certification ensures that the beef brought to the table is slaughtered and prepared in accordance with the rules of Islam, but this is not the case for Arby’s in the USA.
Is It Possible to Find Any Halal Meat at Arby’s?
While halal-certified meat is not served by the firm, some diners may want to try out some non-meat alternatives. However, it is important to take precautions due to the high probability of cross-contamination.
- Salad and Seafood as a Safe Option: There are Arby’s fries, salads, and some other sides that may be liked by Muslims which are not meat-based, however, the concern of cross-contact with non-halal ingredients is ever-present.
- Cross-Contamination Risks: Even if you order a dish that does not include meat, there’s always the possibility of cross-contamination. Shared fryers, prep areas, and utensils may have been used for non-halal food, making the food unsuitable for Muslim consumers.
What Can Arby’s Muslim Diners Do to Have A Quota of Halal Foods?
For Muslims wishing to visit Arby’s but are unsure of their halal options, here are a few pointers:
- Call Ahead: Some Arby’s franchises in areas where there is a large population of Muslims may provide halal food. It is prudent to confirm with your local Arby’s on whether halal meat will be available or call them directly.
- Opt for Non-Meat or Seafood Options: If you have reservations about the nature of the meat, it is safer to go for vegetarian or seafood dishes since there are fewer chances they were contaminated.
- Make Sure Cross-Contamination Isn’t an Issue in Non-Meat Dishes: For those who wish to try non-meat items, cross-contamination may once again be the deciding factor of whether these dishes are safe for consumption.
What Can a Muslim Order Instead of Halal Arby’s?
When it comes to fast food, many Muslims find it difficult to eat certain foods. Here are some alternatives to halal Arby’s:
- Arby’s Halal Meat: With the growing Muslim community, many regions are geographically distributing their fast food restaurants that serve halal meat. For example, The Halal Guys are a great choice for halal food.
- Other Halal-Certified Fast Food Chains: Many fast food chains are now offering halal meat in Muslim-majority areas, so there are other alternatives such as Chipotle or local halal chicken spots.