📚 Glossary of Halal Food, Islamic Diet & Certification Terms

Halal

Halal (Arabic: حلال) means “permissible” or “allowed under Islamic law.” In the context of food, Halal refers to food that is not prohibited by Islamic dietary rules.

Halal food must meet the following key requirements:

• No pork — Pork and pork by-products are forbidden (Haram) in Islam
• No residual blood — Blood must be fully drained during slaughter or processing
• Proper slaughter (Dhabihah) — Animals must be slaughtered by a swift cut to the throat while reciting the name of God (Bismillah)
• No contamination — Ingredients and production processes must not be contaminated with alcohol or non-halal substances

In Thailand, halal food is popular in Muslim communities and increasingly embraced by general consumers who value food safety, cleanliness, and ethical standards

Halal Certification

Halal certification is an official document from an accredited body confirming that food or a product meets halal standards as required by Islamic law.

Halal certification matters because:

• Guarantees compliance — Muslim consumers can trust that food has been inspected by a religious authority
• Traceable — Each certificate has a unique number that can be verified with the issuing body
• Required by organizations — Many companies require halal certification for meetings, training sessions, and catering events

In Thailand, the main certifying body is CICOT (Central Islamic Committee of Thailand). EED HALAL holds certificate no. HL-2024-0892 — see certificate details here

CICOT (Central Islamic Committee of Thailand)

CICOT stands for Central Islamic Committee of Thailand. It is the primary authority responsible for halal matters in Thailand.

Key responsibilities of CICOT:

• Issues halal certificates — Certifies restaurants, food factories, food products, and food-related businesses in Thailand
• Conducts inspections — Sends officers to audit production processes, ingredients, and halal kitchens
• Provides consultation — Advises businesses on halal standards and certification procedures

CICOT halal certificates carry a unique registration number (e.g. HL-2024-0892 for EED HALAL) and can be verified with the Central Islamic Committee of Thailand office.

CICOT functions similarly to JAKIM (Malaysia) or MUI (Indonesia) but operates as Thailand's official halal authority

Khao Mok / Nasi Biryani

Khao Mok (Malay: Nasik Beriani) is a beloved Muslim rice dish that is hugely popular in Thailand, especially in the southern border provinces and Muslim communities nationwide.

Characteristics of Khao Mok:

• Rice cooked with spices — Uses jasmine rice or basmati rice, cooked with turmeric, spices, and beef or chicken broth
• Golden yellow color — The signature hue comes from turmeric, which is the hallmark of Khao Mok
• Served with meat — Traditionally served with stewed or fried meat, dipping sauce, and boiled egg
• 100% Halal — Khao Mok contains no pork ingredients, making it naturally halal

Khao Mok is one of EED HALAL's most popular menu items, used for catering, corporate meetings, and Snack Boxes — see Khao Mok menu here

Khao Mok Gai / Neua / Pla

Khao Mok comes in several variants depending on the protein used. Each has its own distinct character:

All three variants are 100% halal and can be ordered for catering events, corporate meetings, or Snack Boxes

Halal Kitchen

A halal kitchen is a food preparation area that is designed and managed to meet halal requirements, with strict separation between halal and non-halal ingredients.

Key principles of a halal kitchen:

• Separate ingredients — Halal ingredients must be stored separately from non-halal items, covering both meats and seasonings
• Separate equipment — Cookware, pans, knives, and utensils must be used exclusively for halal food and not mixed with general cooking
• Separate food handlers — Staff who prepare and cook halal food must follow halal procedures
• No alcohol — Alcoholic beverages or ingredients containing alcohol are strictly prohibited in a halal kitchen

EED HALAL operates a CICOT-standard halal kitchen with clearly separated ingredients and equipment, ensuring every dish served is 100% halal

No MSG Policy

No MSG is a core policy that EED HALAL has upheld since its founding.

Why EED HALAL does not use MSG:

• Natural flavor — Seasoning comes from spices and natural ingredients, delivering the authentic taste of each dish
• Better for health — Monosodium glutamate (MSG) can cause reactions in some people, such as headaches, numbness, or nausea
• Higher ingredient quality — Not using MSG forces the selection of high-quality ingredients seasoned naturally with salt, pepper, garlic, and shallots

EED HALAL's no-MSG policy ensures that every dish is of high quality, naturally flavored, and safe for health-conscious customers

Quotation & Receipt

Quotation and Receipt are important documents that EED HALAL issues to corporate clients.

Note: The documents EED HALAL issues are a quotation and a receipt, not a tax invoice. Corporate clients requiring a tax invoice please notify us in advance

Interested in ordering halal food?

Learn more about EED HALAL, our menu, and halal certification at the links below