I recently noticed a new symbol on a line of (non-dairy, non-meat) Arab deli items produced in Minnesota, including hummous, tabouli and the like:
"Halal – Equivalent to Kosher"*
Have any of you seen this symbol or something like it? Has any legal action been taken? Opinions?
Please discuss.
[As a side note, I called the rabbi who 'removed' me from the community to give him a heads up on this symbol, which appears to violate Minnesota law. This was the first contact with him that I have had in two years.]
* From Wikipedia:
The Qur'anic verse 5:5 declares that the food of the People of the Book is halaal. Many interpret this reference to imply that the dietary laws are similar enough to (though less restrictive than) those regulating kashrut that Muslims can consume kosher meat and other food products when there are no halaal alternatives. Of course, kosher products that include alcohol among their ingredients are still haraam.
In certain instances, some Islamic authorities have permitted Muslims to rely upon kosher certification (particularly in regard to slaughtering) when halaal food is otherwise unavailable. This view is subject to debate, however, and is rejected by many, for a variety of reasons. Jewish authorities do not allow reliance upon halaal certification as a substitute for kashrut and many Islamic authorities argue the same for kashrut certification. Islamic groups advise using Kashrut certification only as a last resort.