Top 10 Halal Food Trends in 2025

Food and Islam have a unique relationship. While those of us who reside in Muslim-majority countries may hardly give the food, we eat a second thought. We may consider the rising cost of putting food on the table or our likes and dislikes when it comes to eating. Unfortunately, the reality for others is not the same.

Food needs to be halal, that is, permissible by Islamic legal standards. Otherwise, it becomes haram, which is not fit for consumption. Let us take a closer look at what halal food is and the future consumer trends that will shape the halal food industry.

Muslims living in non Muslim countries sometimes find it difficult to find edible food. Muslims must consume halal food allowed. Islamic dietary laws permit Muslims to consume only certain animals, mostly herbivores and those that can be domesticated, and these must be slaughtered in a specific manner. While the animal is being slaughtered, an individual must recite ‘Allah Hu Akbar,’ meaning Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ is the Greatest.

Even when hunting with a weapon, Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ Name must be invoked upon striking the prey. After the prey is caught, it must be treated so that all of the blood is drained out of the body, cleansing it so it can be safe for consumption when cooked.

Aside from this, most seafood and produce are halal, except for vegetation that naturally produces psychoactive properties when consumed. Alcohol and pork, the meat of pigs, are strictly forbidden in Islam. Muslims in such circumstances may have a hard time finding halal food easily. There may not be any halal restaurants in your area. Making a simple task, like grabbing a bite to eat while on the go extremely difficult.

This may sound restrictive; however, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ says in the Holy Quran:

“O believers, do not forbid the good things God has made lawful for you; and do not transgress. God does not love transgressors.” [5:87]

The verse above clearly indicates that while Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ has placed some limitations on the diet prescribed to us, it does not deprive us either. Muslims are not allowed to make foods that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ has not made haram unlawful for themselves.

Since there are billions of Muslims all over the world, the halal food industry is a massive enterprise. It is highly profitable, with the market being valued at $2,714.40 billion in 2024. There is much potential for growth, which makes picking up the trends for the future so important. Here are the top 10 halal food trends that we have been able to identify:

1. Nutrition Over Taste

There is an overall push to eat healthy foods. Most people have realized that fast food and store-bought ready-made meals may be delicious and time-efficient, but they are not the healthiest. Rising obesity rates, cardiovascular diseases, and other food-related ailments, like type-2 diabetes, have seriously made people rethink their eating habits.

The same is true for halal foods. Lean meats are preferred over the other types of cuts, and consumers are shying away from deep-fried foods. A focus on wellness has resulted in a shift away from tasty yet unhealthy foods and towards more balanced and nutritional meals.

2. Homegrown and Local

The demand for local produce is growing. Consumers of Halal food are also choosing local ingredients as these are fresh and seasonal. Eating local supports to local economy as well, resulting in a net positive for the whole community.

3. Quest for Convenience

Consumers are always searching for convenience along with nutrition and taste. Most of us live busy lives with the pressures of work and home. Desiring convenience and ease of access is only natural. Nobody wants to peruse through streets searching for halal food. It should be easy to find and order.

Ideally, a wide array of halal food should be available online so consumers can order from anywhere, at any time. Mobile applications, specifically delivering halal food, will be in increased demand.

4. Rise in Halal Tourism

Increased travel and tourism globally are bound to attract a large number of Muslim tourists. This will result in a rise in halal tourism, a broad term that covers having fun as a tourist in a manner permissible by Islam.

Demand for halal food in places frequented by tourists will go up. Muslim tourists seeking local cuisines that are halal is already a trend. By providing halal options, businesses can increase sales since halal food can be eaten by Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

5. Sustainable and Eco Friendly Options

Greater awareness of our environment has people seeking eco-friendly and sustainable options in their daily lives. Consumers are also paying greater attention to the way goods are sourced to see whether ethical standards are being followed or not.

Ethically sourced and sustainable halal products are being preferred over those that make no such claims. Aside from the halal certification, consumers are actively looking for additional certifications that prove that the food they are buying is coming from sustainable sources and that ethical standards are being met.

Organic and GMO-free are also popular labels that people are seeking out. Food that uses fertilizers, pesticides, and genetic modification has been linked to health risks. Many pesticides, for example, contain carcinogens, making them harmful to health.

6. Search for Superfoods

Halal superfoods are a real hit among those seeking to improve their health naturally. Superfoods are foods that are packed with nutrients and help provide a health boost. Foods like Moringa, Spirulina, and Ginseng can be used daily to improve the immune system and lead to better health.

7. Regionalization of Halal Food

It is more common to see regional cuisines and local delicacies being offered in halal versions. This is good for business since offering halal options increases sales as it allows Muslims and non-Muslims alike to enjoy the food. Halal food is inclusionary, not exclusionary, as anyone, Muslim or not, can consume it.  

8. Support for Small Businesses

Consumers are becoming more aware of the power they hold in boosting the local economy. This is why many are opting for smaller, localized businesses when getting halal food. Instead of spending money on big brand names and franchises, consumers are turning their attention to small food businesses in the area that provide halal options and use locally sourced produce. The food is fresh and authentic and helps support the community.

9. Demand for Meal Kits and Diet Plans

Meal kits are a recent trend since people want home-cooked meals without the hassle of thinking about what to cook and getting groceries. Halal meal kits delivered to your doorstep streamline the whole process. These kits provide the recipe and the ingredients for you to cook a healthy and delicious meal. Meal kits can also be customized to include your dietary preferences.

Similarly, those seeking to eat healthy and design a diet plan can consult professional nutritionists and have a halal diet plan. You can get each meal designed for your health concerns delivered to you. This trend is a part of the overall shift towards people choosing a healthier lifestyle.

10. Halal Lifestyle

Finally, consumers, in general, are becoming more conscious about the things they buy and consume. They realize how such decisions not only impact them directly but many others, both directly and indirectly.

In the same vein, Muslims are becoming more aware of their faith and the permissible things and those that are not. The adoption of a halal lifestyle, a term referring to a way of life that is consistent with the tenets of Islam, is becoming more widespread. Muslims are consciously making decisions guided by faith.

The trends mentioned above point to an overall more conscious and intentional buying pattern. Consumers realize the importance of food and what they put in their bodies. This shift towards a healthier, environmentally friendly, and more conscientious consumption behavior is positive. There is a greater effort among Muslims to abide by the laws of Islam. all of these trends are quite positive and lead to an elevated lifestyle. These trends should continue to grow in 2025 and beyond that into the future.