Halal charcuterie: how to choose well

The range of halal charcuterie on offer has grown considerably. But not all of it is equal, and the label says a great deal about what is inside the pack. Here are the key markers for making an informed choice.

1. The certifier, the first marker

The word “halal” alone is not enough: it is the body certifying the product that tells you how its halal status is checked. Each body has its own rules and inspection methods.

So look at which logo appears on the pack, and find out what it stands for. For AVS, the certifier of Mon Deliss, we have summarised the essentials in our guide to AVS certification.

2. The ingredients list

It is mandatory, and it is ordered: European regulations require ingredients to be listed in descending order of weight at the time of manufacture. The first ingredient is therefore the one that weighs the most.

Two habits worth adopting:

• look at what opens the list: on a meat charcuterie, you would expect to find the meat;
• look at its length: a short, readable list is often a good sign.

Allergens, for their part, must be emphasised in the list, in bold for example: this too is a regulatory requirement.

3. “Free from” claims

They are not mandatory, but they tell you how the product is made.

• MSM-free: the product contains no mechanically separated meat (MSM). We explain this in detail in our article on the “MSM-free” claim.
• No colourings: a colouring affects the product’s appearance, not its taste.
• Gluten-free: an essential marker if you are intolerant. Cereals containing gluten are among the allergens that regulations require to be declared.
• GMO-free: the product is made without genetically modified organisms.

At Mon Deliss, these claims are part of our commitments: our products are made gluten-free, GMO-free, antibiotic-free, free from mechanically separated meat (MSM) and with no colourings.

4. The product itself

When you buy a whole piece, you can see what you are buying: the grain of the meat, the crust, the cut. It also means you can slice it to your liking, just before serving.

5. The brand

Who is behind the product? A brand that says where it comes from gives you a way to check, and puts its word on the line. Mon Deliss is the brand of Chennah Viande, a family business in the meat trade for three generations, based in Corbas, in the Lyon metropolitan area.

In short

Marker	What to look at
Certification	The certifying body’s logo on the pack
Ingredients	What opens the list, and its length
Allergens	Emphasised in the ingredients list
“Free from” claims	MSM, colourings, gluten, GMOs
Brand	Who makes it, and where the company comes from