How can you tell if a burger is halal?
A burger is halal when all the meat in it is certified halal and nothing – from the sauce to the cooking process – contaminates it. The word «halal» on a shop window isn’t enough: what matters is certification, traceability and the way the restaurant operates in the kitchen. Here’s how to check, in just a few minutes, whether your burger really is halal.
What does ‘halal’ mean when it comes to a burger?
«Halal» means «permissible» in Arabic. In the case of meat, this means an animal that is permitted (beef, chicken, lamb… never pork) and ritual slaughter in accordance with the rules of Islam.
In a burger, halal requirements don’t stop at the patty. They apply to every component:
- Meat : beef steak, fillet or chicken tenders, bacon (beef or turkey, never pork).
- Sauces : some contain wine, animal gelatine or flavourings of non-halal origin.
- Cheese : The rennet used to curdle the milk may be of animal origin.
- Cooking : If a griddle or deep-fat fryer is shared with pork, the product is no longer halal.
5 things to check before placing an order
- Look for the certification, not just the word «halal». A reputable restaurant uses meat certified by a halal certification body. Don’t hesitate to ask which one: a trustworthy establishment will answer straight away.
- Check that the ENTIRE menu is halal. A 100 % halal restaurant eliminates the risk of cross-contamination. If the menu also features pork or bacon, halal meat may come into contact with the rest of the food on the same work surfaces.
- Check the sauces and the cheese. The fact that the chain has mastered making its own sauces is a good sign. If you’re unsure about an ingredient, ask for the product information sheet or the list of allergens and ingredients.
- Note the absence of alcohol. A halal restaurant does not usually serve alcohol, either as a drink or in its cooking (such as in wine-based sauces or flambé dishes).
- On food delivery apps, read the restaurant’s profile. Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat often display the halal label. To check, visit the brand’s official website: that’s where their commitments are set out in detail.
The most common pitfalls
- « »Halal meat' on a single product. Chicken is halal, but beef and bacon are not: so the mixed burger isn’t halal either.
- The standard deep-fat fryer. Pork nuggets or non-halal products fried in the same oil as your chips or tenders.
- Bacon. A halal burger is made from beef or turkey. If the source isn’t specified, do ask.
- The company logo. A «halal» pictogram created by the restaurant itself does not carry the same weight as certification by an independent body.
And what about Black and White Burger?
At Black and White Burger, there’s no question about it: All the beef and chicken served in our restaurants are certified 100 % halal.
Founded in Paris in 2018 by Ibra TV and Djam, the brand was born out of a simple idea: a halal burger should never compromise on taste. In practical terms:
- Our smash burgers are made with a fresh, halal-certified beef steak, pressed flat on the griddle to create crispy edges.
- Our chicken burgers use halal-certified chicken fillets.
- Our sauces are homemade, and served in our famous black and white buns.
- The same promise everywhere, at our more than 40 restaurants in France and Belgium – to eat in, takeaway or for delivery.
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