To appease its Muslim clientele, fast food chain Subway has eliminated ham and bacon from nearly 200 locations and replaced it with halal meat substitutes.
It has announced that in 185 of its stores, turkey rashers and turkey ham will be substituted, and all of the meat will now be prepared in compliance with halal regulations.
The chain, which operates about 1,500 locations throughout the UK, justified its choice by stating that it had to weigh religious communities’ opinions against concerns for animal welfare.
In response to demand from their multicultural clientele, nearly 200 Subway locations in the UK and Ireland have discontinued serving ham and bacon in favor of solely serving halal meat.
Traditional halal slaughter sees animals have their throats slit before bleeding to death. However, Subway made it clear that the meat used in its sandwiches would come from animals that have first undergone shock, a procedure designed to lessen any suffering.
The word “halal” in Arabic refers to anything that is permitted or lawful in accordance with the Quran.
It is frequently used to denote that food, especially meat, has been prepared using Muslim methods and values.
Muslims are not allowed to eat any non-halal food or meat from pigs. According to Subway, customers can recognize restaurants that sell halal food by looking for the unique All meats are Halal sign, which must be seen in participating locations.
Many activists claim that the practice of cutting animals’ throats while they are fully conscious in halal slaughterhouses is inhumane and needlessly cruel.
The sandwich chain said that bacon and ham have been placed in place of turkey rashers and ham in the halal-only stores. According to a spokeswoman, all halal meat served at Subway locations originates from animals that were stunned prior to slaughter.
It is against the law in Britain to kill an animal without first stunning it, but meat producers who are Muslim or Jewish are exempt from this rule due to their religious beliefs.
While hundreds practice stunned halal slaughter, there are believed to be about 12 abattoirs in the UK dedicated to unstunned slaughter.
According to a Subway spokesperson who spoke with MailOnline, all halal meat offered at the participating locations comes from animals that were stunned before being killed.
She stated: “We must strike a balance between the values of various religious communities and the overall goal of improving the health and welfare standards of animals, given the growing popularity of the Subway chain and the diverse multicultural population across the UK and Ireland.”
In order to meet customer demand in each location, we implemented a program in 2007 that makes sure the population demographic is taken into consideration when considering the opening of new stores.
Navigating the world of fast food can be tricky, especially when it comes to understanding the ingredients and nutritional content of your meal. Subway®, with its customizable menu and focus on fresh ingredients offers a seemingly healthier alternative to traditional fast food options. However, deciphering the nutritional information and identifying potential allergens can be a challenge. This guide delves into the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on Subway’s® Menu & Nutrition page, providing you with the knowledge you need to make informed choices about your Subway® meal.
Gluten, Dairy, and Other Allergens:
One of the most common concerns among Subway® customers is the presence of allergens in their food. The FAQs address this concern by providing a comprehensive list of menu items that contain gluten, dairy, eggs, fish shellfish wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, sulfites, and nitrites. This information is crucial for individuals with food allergies or sensitivities, allowing them to avoid potential triggers.
Enzyme Origins:
Another question addressed in the FAQs concerns the origin of enzymes used in Subway’s® bread and cheese. The FAQs clarify that these enzymes are plant or microbial derived, addressing concerns about animal-derived enzymes that may be present in some food products.
Artificial Trans Fats and MSG:
The FAQs also address the presence of artificial trans fats and monosodium glutamate (MSG) in Subway’s® food. The company assures customers that all core menu items are free of artificial trans fats, with only trace amounts of naturally occurring trans fats found in meats and dairy. Additionally, Subway® does not add MSG to any of its standard menu items. However, it acknowledges that some ingredients, such as hydrolyzed or textured vegetable proteins, may contain glutamates that can cause similar sensitivities as MSG. Customers can access a document on the nutrition section of the website to identify which foods contain these ingredients.
Halal and Pork-Free Options:
For individuals following specific dietary restrictions, the FAQs provide information on halal and pork-free options. All Subway® menu items in Turkey are halal certified, while several sandwiches and salads are pork-free, including Meatball Marinara, Cold Cut Trio™ (US only), tuna, roast beef, SUBWAY® Seafood & Crab®, turkey breast, steak & cheese, roasted chicken, and sweet onion chicken teriyaki. Additionally, Subway’s® vegetables, sauces, and cheeses are pork-free.
Additional Resources:
The FAQs also provide links to additional resources, such as the Ingredient Information for People with Food Allergies document, which provides a detailed breakdown of allergens in Subway’s® menu items. This document is particularly helpful for individuals with severe allergies or sensitivities.
Subway’s® Menu & Nutrition FAQs offer a valuable resource for customers seeking information about the ingredients, allergens, and nutritional content of their food. By utilizing this information, individuals can make informed choices about their Subway® meals, ensuring that their dietary needs and preferences are met. Whether you have specific allergies, follow a particular diet, or simply want to understand the nutritional value of your meal, Subway’s® FAQs provide the knowledge you need to navigate the menu with confidence.
SUBWAY SUBS AFFECTED BY RULES
Subway Melt – ham, bacon, turkey breast, and cheese Italian B.V. Steak and Cheese Meatball Marinara; Chicken and Bacon Ranch Melt M. T. – spicy Italian pizza with pepperoni, salami, and ham; pepperoni and salami; chicken avocado breakfast subs; bacon, sausage, egg, and cheese; bacon, sausage, egg, and cheese;
All meat is prepared in accordance with Islamic halal regulations, and turkey rashers and ham are used in place of all other ham and bacon.
At the very least, all of our suppliers abide by EU laws regarding animal welfare, and we mandate that vendors of halal goods use animal stunning before slaughter.
All halal meats are certified by the appropriate halal authorities.
All halal Subway stores have numerous signs stating that they serve halal food.
These are situated on the menu panels, nutritional information and in the front window of the store.
Animal advocacy group PETA advised people to choose a vegetarian diet to make sure they are acting in the animals’ best interests.
At best, meat comes from a brutal and violent industry that has no regard for other living things that value their lives as much as we do and go through the same suffering and fear that Subway patrons would if someone were to kill them for a sandwich, according to a spokesman.
Most religions, including Islam, preach kindness to animals, but words are one thing and practice another.
As the Dalai Lama said, “My religion is kindness”. And a vegan diet is one that genuinely respects animal rights, is kind to all religions, and expresses kindness.
Regardless of their faith, customers of Subway can eat guilt-free by choosing the veggie patty, veggie delight, or, god forbid, a salad.
An RSPCA spokeswoman continued, “Scientific research has clearly shown that slaughtering an animal without stunning can cause unnecessary suffering, and the RSPCA is opposed to the slaughter of any animal without first making it insensible to pain and distress.” This was in reference to the general issue of halal slaughter.
Currently, the only legal exceptions to the stunning requirement for slaughter are found in kosher and halal methods. Nevertheless, it’s critical to distinguish between “religious” and “non-stun” methods of slaughter, since approximately 90% of halal meat in the UK is stunted prior to slaughter.
Our issue is not with how people express their religious beliefs; rather, it is with the practice of killing by slitting the throat without first stanning.
In order to give consumers a choice, we think that meat from animals that have been stunned or not before slaughter should be clearly labeled. We also plan to keep pushing for legal changes that would enhance the welfare of all farm animals at the time of slaughter.
HALAL DICTATES OBJECTS OR ACTIONS PERMISSIBLE UNDER ISLAMIC LAW
Halal refers to any object or action which is permissible according to Islamic law. The term covers not only food and drink but also matters of daily life.
Halal foods are those that Muslims are allowed to eat or drink under Islamic Shariah. The criteria dictates both food which are allowed and how the food must be prepared. The foods most commonly addressed are types of meat and animal tissue.
The most common example of non-halal, or forbidden food is pork. Because of hygienic concerns perceived by Muslims historically, culturally, and religiously, it is the only meat that they are forbidden from eating at all.
Depending on where they come from, what caused the animal to die, and how it was prepared, some meats may be off limits.
To be halal, the food must have come from a supplier that uses halal practises. In particular, a Muslim must carry out the slaughter and call on Allah before killing the animal. Before repeating Allahu akbar (God is the greatest) three times, people typically say Bismillah (In the name of God).
After that, the animal is killed by severing its throat, windpipe, and neck blood vessels with a sharp knife without severing its spinal cord. The blood must then be drained from the veins of the animal.
Traditionally and according to Islamic scholars an animal must be conscious while slaughtered.
However the majority of halal abattoirs stun the animals before killing them.
Muslims also need to make sure that everything they eat, especially processed foods, and non-food items like medicines and cosmetics are halal.