‘Halal’ Does Not Make These Frozen Foods Healthy

Not all frozen foods are bad. In fact, some options, like chopped vegetable medleys, berries, and flash-frozen greens from back home, can be excellent and convenient additions to your shopping list. However, once meat and other processed foods are introduced, things tend to get complicated. This is especially relevant for the Muslim community in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Why?

For many Muslims, seeing the word “Halal” on a package leads to the assumption that the product is safe, and maybe even healthy. Unfortunately, a growing number of food manufacturers rely on this assumption, implying that Halal means “safe and good for you,” which is not always the case. The term Halal does not guarantee quality, nutritional value, or the absence of chemical preservatives found in many packaged foods. In fact, some packaged foods labelled Halal might not even meet that standard when it comes to ingredient sources beyond the meat itself. However, that topic deserves a separate discussion.

Today, let’s focus on some of the avoidable food choices in the frozen section of our favorite Supermarket.

1. Frozen Lasagna: Many kids, especially those born and raised in Canada, love frozen lasagna. In our quest to provide a Halal version of their favourite dish, we often overlook the hidden dangers. Problem: It is packed with artificial flavours and excessive sodium, both of which are unhealthy.

2. Meat Burgers: Consumer tip: Always check the ingredients. If you see butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) or butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) listed, these preservatives are often found in frozen burgers, pizzas, and burritos. The National Toxicology Program classifies BHA as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” (potentially cancer-causing), while the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) categorizes it as a Group 2B carcinogen (“possibly carcinogenic to humans”). Solution: Nothing beats a burger made with fresh meat.

3. Breaded Chicken (Nuggets, Strips, etc.): These items are high in sodium, trans fats (from flash frying), starch, and additives. They often contain less than 50% real chicken. Solution: Homemade versions are healthier, tastier, and safer. Plus, nothing compares to the crunchiness of freshly made chicken.

4. Potato Fries and Wedges (Pre-Fried): Have you noticed that the final product looks nothing like what’s shown on the packaging? The fries often look shrivelled, limp, and oily, and they are relatively expensive. Solution: Making fries at home from fresh potatoes is much tastier, and you can ensure they don’t contain unnecessary chemicals.

5. Ready-Made Pizzas: As with other frozen meals, the pizza you pull from the oven often looks and tastes drastically different from the picture on the box. The dough can be dry, the sauce overly sweet, and the toppings sparse. Additionally, there are numerous chemical additives. Solution: While it may take a bit more time and effort, a homemade pizza made with fresh ingredients is more cost-effective and will delight your family.

6. Frozen Desserts: Premium ice cream and frozen cakes can be pricey and contain more additives than actual flavour. They are often high in sugar and saturated fats, such as palm oil (a standard ingredient in many ice creams), and may contain synthetic colours and flavours. Solution: Why not enjoy a freshly baked baklava, kunafe, Dubai chocolate, or good old cham-cham from your favourite South Asian mithai shop?

We hope you find this list helpful. Here’s wishing you and your family a healthy and safe holiday season, Insha’Allah. God bless!

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