Creekstone Farms is one of the most well-known suppliers of premium Black Angus beef in the United States. While they are best known for their high-end beef cuts that are served in fine dining restaurants, Creekstone also supplies beef to retail outlets and foodservice operations around the country.
In recent years, Creekstone Farms made the decision to have their beef slaughtered and processed in a halal compliant manner. This allows them to market their products to Muslim consumers who follow Islamic dietary laws. However, there has been some confusion around whether all Creekstone beef is halal or only certain products. In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at Creekstone’s halal certification process and provide a definitive answer on if all their beef is halal.
What is Halal?
Before looking specifically at Creekstone’s practices, it’s helpful to understand what the term “halal” means Halal is an Arabic word that means permissible or lawful. When applied to food, it means the food has been prepared in accordance with Islamic dietary guidelines
For meat to be considered halal, the animal must be slaughtered in a particular manner. According to Islamic tradition the animal must be alive and healthy at the time of slaughter. A Muslim recites a prayer and pronounces the name of God before making a swift deep cut with a sharp knife on the animal’s throat. This method of slaughter is believed to minimize the animal’s suffering.
In addition to the slaughtering practices, the processing and handling of halal meat products must adhere to certain standards. Contact with non-halal foods or other contaminants that are considered haram (forbidden) according to Islamic law must be avoided during processing, packaging, and storage. Food companies must have their practices for preparing halal meat certified and monitored by reputable halal certification organizations.
Creekstone Farms’ Halal Certification
Creekstone Farms has taken extensive steps to ensure their beef meets halal requirements. Here are some key facts about their halal certification process:
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Slaughter method – All Creekstone cattle are slaughtered via the halal cut method described above A Muslim blessing is provided for each animal prior to slaughter
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Processing – Creekstone beef is processed at a dedicated facility in Arkansas City, Kansas. No pork or alcohol is allowed in this facility in order to avoid cross-contamination.
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Halal certification – Creekstone’s slaughtering and meat processing procedures have been reviewed and certified by the Halal Transactions of Omaha. This respected halal certification organization monitors Creekstone’s processes on an ongoing basis through audits and inspections.
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Supply chain – Creekstone controls their beef supply chain “from conception to customer”. This allows them to verify the halal integrity at every step. Their cattle are raised in the U.S. in a vegetarian diet free from animal by-products.
Based on this rigorous certification process conducted by a trusted third-party halal certifier, Creekstone can confidently state that all their beef qualifies as halal.
Email Confirmation from Creekstone
To provide further proof straight from the source, the halal certification status of Creekstone beef was directly confirmed through email correspondence with the company:
In response to the question “Is all your beef slaughtered and certified Halal?” Creekstone Farms Customer Service responded:
“Yes all Creekstone Farms Natural Beef is Halal slaughtered and processed. We own the whole supply chain from conception to customer which allows us to verify the integrity of our product and that it adheres to Halal standards.”
This definitive email from Creekstone Farms themselves verifies that all their beef products are both slaughtered and handled in a halal compliant manner.
Why Did Creekstone Pursue Halal Certification?
Creekstone Farms is a relatively small and specialized beef company, dedicated to producing high-end Black Angus beef. This premium niche allowed them to grow steadily for many years.
However, in order to keep growing and improving profitability, Creekstone looked to expand their market reach. A big opportunity was the global halal beef market, valued at over $64 billion annually and growing fast.
To gain access to this rapidly expanding market, Creekstone invested significant resources to have their entire beef production certified to halal standards. With this halal certification in place, Creekstone could begin marketing their products to Muslim consumers and halal foodservice operations.
While the initial halal certification process required an investment, it has allowed Creekstone to significantly expand their sales. In fact, approximately 30-40% of Creekstone’s beef is now sold into halal markets, both domestic and international.
Going after the halal market has proved a smart business decision. Creekstone’s focus on quality has also allowed them to command premium pricing for their halal certified products, further boosting profitability.
Where to Buy Creekstone Farms Halal Beef
Now that you know all Creekstone beef meets halal guidelines, where can you find their premium halal products?
Retail
Creekstone halal beef is increasingly available at retail locations:
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Specialty grocery stores that carry halal products often stock fresh Creekstone beef cuts. Check the meat department at stores like Ranch 99 Market or ethnic grocers in your area.
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Many regular supermarkets now carry frozen Creekstone burgers andground beef in the halal section. Retailers like Kroger, Wegmans, HEB, Ralphs, and others may carry Creekstone halal products.
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Club stores such as Costco are stocking Creekstone’s halal Angus beef patties and burgers.
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Online retailers are another option. Creekstone works with online grocers like Halal Everyday and WHolesome Choice that deliver halal meat products directly to consumers.
Foodservice
On the foodservice side, Creekstone halal beef is served at high-end restaurants looking for premium quality beef. Upscale hotel chains also utilize Creekstone beef for their halal menu options.
Institutions like hospitals and universities are choosing Creekstone halal products for their cafeterias as they cater to diverse student and patient populations. And fast-casual halal burger chains rely on Creekstone for supplying their prime beef patties.
Key Takeaways on Creekstone Farms Halal Beef
To summarize the key facts on Creekstone’s halal certification:
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Creekstone invested in full halal supply chain certification by Halal Transactions of Omaha.
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All beef slaughtered and processed by Creekstone adheres to Islamic halal standards.
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Halal certification has allowed Creekstone to access the sizable and growing halal meat market.
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Approximately 30-40% of Creekstone’s beef production is now sold to halal consumers.
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Creekstone halal products are available at retailers, restaurants, hotels and other outlets.
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An email directly from Creekstone confirms that all their beef is slaughtered and handled in a halal compliant manner.
So for those looking for American-raised Black Angus beef that meets halal guidelines, Creekstone provides a premium option. Their full integration and supply chain control ensures complete halal integrity from farm to table.
Creekstone Farms E-Gift Card
The $50 Creekstone Farms e-gift card is out of stock and will be sent out as soon as it comes back in.
Why Halal-Grade Meat Is More Humane And Better Tasting
FAQ
Where does creekstone beef come from?
Is Creekstone Farms halal on Reddit?
Is creekstone beef good?
What type of steak is halal?
Is Creekstone Farms beef halal?
Creekstone Farms Premium Beef comes from Black Angus cattle, which are treated in a humane manner in a plant that is only devoted to the production of Black Angus Beef. Creekstone Farm meat is certified halal by Halal Transactions of Omaha.
Who is Creekstone Farms?
Creekstone Farms is based out of Arkansas City, Kansas, and is known for producing some of the best quality beef in America. The news, released by the website Muslim Eater, went viral in the Muslim community.
Is Shake Shack halal?
Customers pointed out on Twitter a few years ago that burger chain Shake Shack sources meat from known halal-certified supplier Creekstone Farms. But Shake Shack denied it on social media and its website says halal meat is only at its locations in the U.K. and Middle East. So if Muslims can’t look at a label, how do they know it’s halal?
Will halal meat be the second-largest religious group in the US?
With the Muslim population on pace to possibly become the second-largest religious group in the United States by 2040, the demand for halal meat and other foods is on the rise to the point that Nielsen reports U.S. sales increased 15 percent from 2012 to 2015.