The halal meat industry is today a reality in many regions of the world, including the European Union. The main religious laws in the area of halal meat production were legislated in ancient times and may be unchangeable due to their sanctity perceived by faithful Muslims, while the modern technology used in the meat industry is constantly evolving and being updated. The objective of this study is to highlight the points of controversy between the principles of halal and the technological means currently used in the meat industry. Modern slaughter practices, including animal fasting prior to slaughter, animal body position, the location of the incision during slaughter, stunning and mechanical slaughter, are reviewed. The purpose of preslaughter feed availability according to halal criteria could be to ensure greater welfare for animals, though feed withdrawal is necessary today. Although there is no clear unified opinion among the Islamic sects, reversible stunning of animals is generally accepted. A neck cut at a higher position than the conventional low cut in cattle may reduce the compromise in welfare (the onset of unconsciousness), minimise false aneurysm and be compatible with halal criteria. This study may contribute towards consideration being given to technology that is not in conflict with the religious legislation, while at the same time meeting the requirements of the modern meat industry.

A study was made of the incidence of Campylobacter upsaliensis among dogs and cats suffering from acute or chronic diarrhoea; 225 dogs and cats were examined and 51 strains were identified, 16 (7%) o...

Sufficiency of safe and prime-quality food is one of the priorities of modern society. In meat production, an important measure to prevent zoonotic agents being transferred from animals to humans via meat is modern meat inspection. Systems for food safety assurance at the level of food producers include HACCP and GMP. One of the methods for validation and verification of GMP and HACCP systems is the implementation of process hygiene criteria at slaughterhouses. In case of the occurrence of foodborne disease, reliable and fast methods for detection of the causative agent are necessary.