Whole Story

The Official Whole Foods Market® Blog

What is this Halal About?

By Allison Burch, July 31, 2011  |  Meet the Blogger  |  More Posts by Allison Burch
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS KERI FROM AUSTIN, TX, SUDHA FROM MINNEAPOLIS, MN, MICHELE FROM LOUISVILLE, KY, CHARLOTTE FROM EUCLID, OH AND JESSICA FROM HALETHROPE, MD.  THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR COMMENTS! Have you heard of halal? If so, you can skip ahead to the end and enter to win coupons for some tasty, convenient halal-certified prepared foods from Saffron Road. But if you’re scratching your head and asking, “What is this halal about?” Read on! Halal is Islamic dietary law that applies, among other things, to meat and poultry, specifically prescribing certain slaughtering and processing practices. Like some other religious dietary practice, halal prohibits pork and alcohol consumption. In order to provide more options to people following a halal diet, Saffron Road has created the first line of certified halal frozen entrees and they’re currently only available here at Whole Foods Market. Saffron Road features ethnic foods with Indian, Asian and Middle Eastern flavors, as well as chicken nuggets and tenders. All of their products are made with lamb and chicken raised on vegetarian diets, with no added hormones or antibiotics. Plus, all of their products are certified halal by the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA). Whether you eat halal because of your religious dietary guidelines or you simply prefer to choose food that’s made with high-quality, responsibly farmed ingredients, then Saffron Road has some tasty offerings for you. Take a look:

Lemongrass Basil Chicken

Roasted white-meat chicken simmered in a lemongrass and basil green curry with green peppers and onions.

Chicken Tikka Masala

Prepared with tender, boneless, chicken, and baked according to authentic traditions with freshly-ground tandoori spices simmered in a savory yogurt and tomato sauce.

Chicken Biryani

Traditionally prepared by cooking Basmati rice with succulent chunks of chicken, cashews and raisins infused with an unmistakable blend of enticing spices, aromas and flavors, including a pinch of saffron salt.

Moroccan Stew

Tender cubes of lamb slowly simmered with sweet potatoes, coriander, cumin, cinnamon and ginger until every drop is perfection. Since it tops delicious couscous, no drop is wasted.

Lamb Saag

Australian lamb slow-simmered with a blend of Indian spices, ginger and yogurt and served on a thick bed of savory Saag, a traditional spinach dish.

Lamb Vindaloo

A spicy Portuguese-Indian curry dish dating back to the 16th century. Australian lamb marinated in an exotic tamarind-infused curry sauce, cumin, hot Indian spices and yogurt, then slow simmered for hours until tender and tangy and served with Basmati rice.

Chicken Pad Thai

A delightful version of the Thai favorite featuring wide flat rice noodles topped with roasted white-meat chicken and simmered with carrots and scallions in an exotic peanut sauce.

Lamb Koftis

Lamb marinated in a secret recipe of the most classic spices, and then formed into traditional koftis, or meatballs. The finishing touch? It's served on a bed of aromatic long grain white rice.

Chicken Nuggets, Chicken Tenders, Chicken Bites and Tandoori Seasoned Chicken Nuggets

Made from the meat of chickens raised on a vegetarian diet and never given antibiotics, ever!

What a line up! Are you ready to try some Saffron Road? Good, because we're ready to give some away. We’ll pick five winners at random to receive five coupons for free Saffron Road entrees. To enter, leave a comment below by August 11 and tell us which of the entrees you’d try first and why.

 

291 Comments

Comments

Khadijah says ...
This was a great idea, Whole Foods! You have just gained another loyal customor by launching this halal line! I would try both the chicken tikka masala and the chicken biryani. I love Indian food, I am trying to learn to cook it myself, God willing. I have made the chicken tikka masala and it was pretty good, alhamdulillah, but I have been intimidated to try the chicken biryani. I would like to see what the saffron road versions of these dishes taste like.
08/09/2011 6:35:13 AM CDT
josh says ...
http://gawker.com/5829109/whole-foods-caves-to-wingnuts-will-not-celebrate-or-promote-ramadan
08/09/2011 12:03:26 PM CDT
Susan says ...
Dear Whole Foods, I just want to say that I am saddened and dismayed that you are now backtracking on recognition of Ramadan because of the actions of a few extremist protestors, who surely do not represent the majority of your consumers. according to an internal email that the Houston Press obtained recently. "It is probably best that we don't specifically call out or 'promote' Ramadan," reads a portion of that email. "We should not highlight Ramadan in signage in our stores as that could be considered 'Celebrating or promoting' Ramadan." http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/2011/08/whole_foods_we_should_not_high.php Now I am torn between supporting Saffron Roads, which I believe is a great product, and shopping at a store that cowardly compromises its so-called ideals because of the threats of a few hate bloggers. At the very least I will not be buying any other products from your store.
08/09/2011 1:10:26 PM CDT
Bobby Hawley says ...
Hi everyone, We’d like to address the many comments regarding the promotion of halal products in our stores. We are still carrying and promoting halal products for those that are celebrating Ramadan this month. We never sent a communication from our headquarters requesting that stores take down any signs or remove any part of this promotion. We have 12 different operating regions and unfortunately, one region reacted to some negative online comments by sending out directions to promote halal certified foods and not specifically the holiday of Ramadan. We’re extremely excited about offering a selection of halal products for our shoppers and we stand behing them AND our promotion of them.
08/09/2011 3:05:55 PM CDT
B Blackburn says ...
I'd try the Moroccan Lamb Stew for several reasons. One, it's Moroccan and therefore not the usual frozen food item. And two, it incorporates lamb which is also unusual for frozen food lines. I deeply appreciate Whole Foods bringing halal products to market and for recognizing Ramadan as one of many important religious holidays in America.
08/09/2011 3:48:06 PM CDT
Sarah says ...
I may actually make frequent trips now. I love chicken nuggets with a side of honey!
08/09/2011 3:53:36 PM CDT
Lana Lockhart says ...
I won't be shopping at Whole Foods. Whole Foods sent an email to all its U.S. stores specifically telling the franchises not to promote Ramadan this year. The Houston Press obtained a copy of the email: “It is probably best that we don’t specifically call out or ‘promote’ Ramadan,” reads a portion of that email. “We should not highlight Ramadan in signage in our stores as that could be considered ‘Celebrating or promoting’ Ramadan.” This reversal marks “a significant departure from years past, when Whole Foods has promoted its halal items during Ramadan with small signs that displayed a crescent moon, the symbol of Islam.”
08/09/2011 4:01:11 PM CDT
Ahmad Baitalmal says ...
Oh Yeah, Thank you Whole Foods! We shop at your stores but are always saddened that there are so little things we can buy because we want to stay Halal. And the line up is perfect for Ramadan. Thank you!
08/09/2011 4:15:27 PM CDT
Keri says ...
I bought some of the chicken tenders to try because they are also gluten free! I also appreciate that you are offering (and promoting) foods that help people celebrate and still comply with the strictures of their religion. And quite frankly I don't get why people are making a negative fuss about it!
08/09/2011 4:43:13 PM CDT
Faisal says ...
I love Whole Foods - thanks for fully embracing global foods! I'm looking forward to trying the Chicken Pad Thai...I've never had Thai food since there's no halal Thai restaurants!
08/09/2011 4:50:28 PM CDT
Mohammed M. says ...
Sweet! I love that Whole Foods now has halal meat. I want to try the Chicken Tenders cause they look tendericious. :-) I shouldn't be looking at all this good food while fasting. :P
08/09/2011 4:59:09 PM CDT
Janice Bradley says ...
I can't believe the news reports that right wing bloggers are attacking the idea of providing high quality products that meet the qualifications of religious (Islamic) dietary restrictions. Please do not cave to these backward fanatical elements. Keep providing this delicious and nutritious food.
08/09/2011 5:04:41 PM CDT
Saadi says ...
You should also ad Midamar products and also increase Indian Halal foods. Also please add Molokhiya. It is like Spinach but richer in Vitamin A and fiber. Egyptians cook it in broth. It is usually sold in frozen packets.
08/09/2011 5:49:52 PM CDT
Ab says ...
I'd try Chicken Biryani because it's my favorite dish my mom makes :)
08/09/2011 7:36:09 PM CDT
HASINA OLUOMI says ...
I AM SO EXCITED THAT YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO CARRY SOME HALAL PRODUCTS AT YOUR STORES! i LOVE YOUR STORE AND I HAVE BEEN TELLING MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO GIVE THEIR BUSINESS TO YOU. LIVE NEAR THE TARZANA ,CA AND THE PORTER RANCH STORE,CA. I HOPE THEY WILL CARRY IT SOON. I CALLED AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT, SO IF YOU CAN TELL ME WHICH STORES ARE GOING TO CARRY IT, PLEASE. THANKS
08/09/2011 7:45:21 PM CDT
Z VandenBout says ...
The Moroccan Lamb Stew sounds really interesting.
08/09/2011 9:16:42 PM CDT
Tina says ...
Thank you Saffron Road for expanding your halal frozen dinner entrees at Whole Foods. I would try the chicken phad thai because ive never had a halal chicken phad thai before. I usually get shrimp or tofu when eating thai food! I would also like to try the Moroccan lamb stew!
08/09/2011 10:18:11 PM CDT
Melisa says ...
Yum! Finally, a mainstream, halal product available!
08/10/2011 12:31:57 AM CDT
Arooj Syed says ...
Thank you Whole Foods for recognizing Muslims as part of USA. I have never been to your store as it is quite far from where I live but your halal offerings will make me drive the distance for sure.
08/10/2011 12:35:03 AM CDT
Faryal Faruqi says ...
I really appreciate your efforts for making our life easier and healtheir ,i am always looking to buy halal ,healthy food at my local supermartket ,i cant tell how much happy i am to see halal entries at whole food market.Thank you thank you thank you .
08/10/2011 1:44:49 AM CDT
Farzeen Jehan says ...
I miss home! so I want to try the chicken biriyani and the lamb saag. But in all honesty, i wouldn't mind trying any one of em right now.
08/10/2011 2:22:03 AM CDT
Noor-Malika Chishti says ...
I tip my hijab to Whole Foods for introducing halal foods! The media has said you pulled this campaign so I am delighted to find it is not so. Thank you Whole Foods for setting such an important example of embracing the diversity of the communities within the United States. All of the offerings look great and I am sure American Muslims will appreciate the choices they will have when shopping at Whole Foods. I would begin with sampling Lamb Vindaloo.
08/10/2011 8:40:56 AM CDT
Tamur says ...
Wow whole foods is probably my main grocery choice now. I can't wait to try all of them but Lamb Koftis sounds especially delicious. Bring me them couponssssss.
08/10/2011 8:53:32 AM CDT
Younus says ...
Thank you so much for introducing this during Ramadhan. I would definitely want to try Lemongrass Basil Chicken.
08/10/2011 9:06:13 AM CDT
Saideh says ...
Lemongrass Basil Chicken sounds GREAT, definitely first on my list! I can't wait, there's a WHOLE FOODS opening soon within 5 miles of my house. No longer have to drive 30 minutes to get there! Love the fact that you're carrying something that's Halal, natural, made in the USA, but most of all... convenient all in one!
08/10/2011 9:27:30 AM CDT

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