More Details on Halal Status Of In-N-Out Burger

Halal food is food that is permissible in Islam for consumption. With that being said it is important to mention the basics of halal prior to asking the question-does In-N-Out focus on halal only. For food items to be Halal, they must meet the requirements and the basic principles of Halal which are as follows:

• Restriction Of Ingredients: Firstly, Halal food should be free from any critical ingredients like pork and alcohol. As such, consumption of alcohol and pork is forbidden.
• Islamic slaughtering of animals: One of the key features regarding preparation of halal food is the humane treatment of animals. As such, a set of ethical guidelines regarding such issues exists within the religion.
• Separation of Ingredients: An important principle of halal food is the prevention of cross-contamination. As such, it is critical that halal food is not in contact with non halal food whether when cooking or preparing dishes.

Now, with these set of guidelines in mind, let us also see the extent to which the In-N-Out Burger complies with halal standards.

Ingredients at In–N-Out Burger

In-N-Out Burger has a focus on high-quality fresh ingredients in their menu items, however, not every one of these ingredients can be said to be halal compliant. Here are some of the major ingredients used and the issues related with them:

1. Beef Patties

The beef patties that In-N-Out uses consist of 100% US beef bound by law to have no additives or preservatives. The problem though is that the beef is not halal certified and has no indication that it undergoes halal slaughtering. This means for a broad majority of Muslims, the beef is not halal as it specifically does not follow the guidelines of slaughter mentioned in Sharia Law.

2. Burger Buns

The buns at In-N-Out are plain and have no alcohol or pork derivative which are non halal ingredients. But because these buns are not halal certified they could be possible to be cross contaminated with other buns gnawed by a non halal product.

3. French Fries

The fries at In-N-Out are made using fresh potatoes and deep fried in 100% vegetable oil. Similarly, the fries themselves do not contain the prohibited ingredients however, concern still might be raised as the fries are prepared in the same fryers along with beef and other meats that are not halal.

4. Milk Shakes

The shakes served at In-N-Out are made from ice cream, milk, and syrups. Although there are no halal banned ingredients, the milk that is used in creating the shake might not be halal certified which is an issue for some halal followers.

Absence Of Certification

One of the major problems In-N-Out Burger has to deal with to ensure that everything they provide to customers is halal is the presence of certification. Unlike some other fast food outlets that provide source with the certification, In-N-Out Burger never mentions that its products are halal. This implies that there is no guarantee that the ingredients used and the slaughtering as well as the preparation departs from the general standards that have been set for halal.

Cross-Contamination Of Foods

Cross- contamination is one of the major concerns among Muslims who eat halal. In Islamic culture, in non-Islamic countries such as America, it is often common for Muslims to face issues while eating out. For instance, In-N-Out Burger uses the same cooking equipment, such as fryers, to process both halal meat and parts, as well as non-halal ones. As a result, halal food may be in contact with non halal ones, making it impossible for people who follow strict halal compliant regulationspeople who follow strict halal compliant regulations to use.

Is There A Halal Substitute Available?

If you’re looking for a halal fast food option, there are In-N-Out Burger alternatives:

1. Halal Fast Food Chains

There is a variety of halal food options provided by other fast food outlets throughout the U.S. For instance, The Halal Guys offer halal Chicken and Beef Gyros, and some locations of Shake Shack serves chicken that has been certified as halal. Such chains are aimed at the Muslim population and would be an ideal choice for those on the lookout for halal fast food outlets.

2. Local Halal Restaurants

There are many Muslim owned halal restaurants which could have halal burgers and other fast food options. Perhaps, trying out local halal burger restaurants in your area would be a better alternative than In-N-Out.

Conclusion

This is why halal compliance with U.S standards is quite an uphill battle, especially for the In-N-Out burger partnership who do not use halal certified meat and there is some degree of cross contamination. While In-N-Out does serve fresh ingredients and has a commitment to quality, the lack of halal certification and potential cross-contamination means that it may not be suitable for Muslims following strict halal guidelines.