In collaboration with the Muslim Coalition for the University of Michigan, Michigan Dining serves a variety of menu items that are Halal certified and follow Halal practices in all dining halls. Dining staff follows extensive food handling and procurement practices to provide students with as many options as possible. In retail locations, Michigan Dining offers Halal options as well as partners with local vendors that offer Halal options.
To quickly identify Halal options, look for this emblem 
on our online, digital, and dining hall menus. Halal certification is displayed in all dining halls and available to view upon request. Additionally, the certificates can be viewed digitally here.
MDining provides in its residential dining halls and catering services beef, lamb, and chicken that are certified ‘Halal’. Due to the large variety of products we provide across campus from different manufacturers and vendors, we carry products from many Halal certifiers. Students can find Halal certifications posted in all of our operations and can ask staff if they are unable to locate them. We want students to feel confident in the food offered under the Halal label and believe transparency is a part of that confidence. We would be happy to revisit conversations about certification should national legislation and regulations or product availability change.
To read the most recent update on Halal meats click here.
Halal Q&A
MDining serves a variety of menu items that are Halal certified and follow the industry standard for Halal practices in all dining halls and through our catering services. Dining staff follow extensive food handling and procurement practices to provide guests with as many options as possible. In retail locations, MDining offers Halal options and partners with visiting vendors who also offer Halal options.
- Can I see your Halal certification?
Yes! Guests can find Halal certifications posted in all of our operations and can ask any MDining team member if they are unable to locate them. Additionally, the certificates can be found digitally here. We carry products from many Halal certifiers but will always have the certificate ready to share. - What is considered the ‘industry standard’ in Halal?
The majority of Halal poultry in the US is machine slaughtered while beef is hand slaughtered. We understand that there is ikhtilaaf (a difference of opinion amongst the jurists) about machine slaughtering. We want students to feel confident in the food offered under the Halal label and believe transparency is a part of that confidence. MDining Halal products follows the majority opinion of the Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America – that slaughter by machine is permissible when all other Halal standards are met.To be slaughtered Halal, the Islamic form of killing animals, a cut must sever the windpipe, carotid artery, and jugular vein. Animals must be alive and healthy at the time of the killing. The Halal method of slaughter requires that you must drain all the blood from the carcass. A trained practicing Muslim will recite a very short blessing during the process, known as tasmiya. The process must be as painless as possible and be conducted with adherence to good animal welfare practices. - Is there a difference between Zabiha and Halal?
Per the American Halal Institute, the terms Halal and zabiha are often interchangeable. The distinction is that zabiha is used for Halal slaughtered meat, while Halal is used for anything permissible under Islamic law. - How can I tell if something is Halal at MDining facilities?
To quickly identify Halal options, look for this icon on our online, digital, and dining hall menus. MDining provides beef, lamb, and chicken that are certified Halal in our residential dining halls and through our catering services. - How do I learn more about MDining?
We’re dedicated to fostering an inclusive and enriching space at our table that nourishes the campus community’s well-being, promotes a sense of belonging, and encourages personal growth through global cuisine and education. Students who are interested in contributing to this mission should consider joining the MDining Student Food Advisory Committee. - I have more questions, how do I reach out?
Feel free to reach out via email, [email protected], or visit this webpage for a full list of MDining contact information.
Ramadan Options
Michigan Dining is proud to support students during their celebration of Ramadan.
South Quad, Mosher-Jordan, and Bursley dining halls are open 7 am – 9 pm Monday through Friday as well as 7 am – 2:00 pm and 4:30 pm – 9 pm Saturday and Sunday throughout the observance of Ramadan. Students living in University housing with a room and board contract have several options for Iftar. They can dine in one of the open dining halls; they can use a meal swipe through our MDining To Go program to secure a reusable to-go container and obtain food prior to Iftar; or they can utilize Dining Dollars or Blue Bucks to purchase options at one of the retail units on campus.
In addition, Residential dining units will have reusable boxes available through MDining To Go for students to obtain meals observed before sunrise. You can pick up a to-go box in any Residential dining hall the day prior to consumption and fill it with food for breakfast. There are many breakfast items available throughout the day including hand fruit, yogurt & granola, bread, and cereal as well as the menu being served when you obtain your Suhoor meal. Please notify the greeter at the entrance to the dining hall if you would like this option or ask for a manager if you need assistance.
Michigan Dining Retail features Local Visiting Vendors that offer Halal options. Palm Palace is available in Maizie’s on Tuesday. On North Campus, El Harissa is available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Fireside Cafe and Palm Palace is offered on Wednesdays in Fireside cafe.
For Catered events, students may contact Michigan Catering, and staff are available to assist in menu planning.
MDining provides in its residential dining halls and catering services beef, lamb, and chicken that are certified ‘Halal’. Due to the large variety of products we provide across campus from different manufacturers and vendors, we carry products from many Halal certifiers. Our retail operations offer ‘Halal’¹ certified York Street to-go options, which are certified through Halal Transactions of Omaha. Students can find Halal certifications posted in all of our operations and can ask staff if they are unable to locate them.
Click the link to learn more about Ramadan and opportunity through meals, programming, as well as donating or volunteering to support these efforts.
¹ “Food that is permitted for consumption to Muslims is called halal. While certain foods, notably pork, can never be halal, other meats are acceptable so long as they have been killed in an appropriate way. The Islamic slaughter process is called dhabihah.” (Food, Feasts, and Faith: An Encyclopedia of World Religions, Paul Fieldhouse, p. 30) In the United States, “foods that carry a halal symbol or label have been approved by an agency and are certified to be free of any forbidden components or ingredients.” (GFS) Food that is labeled as “zabiha” or “dhabiha” has passed through additional checks to ensure that all Islamic procedures have been followed.
