Overview

Ontario values, respects and cherishes the diversity of its people. Our many cultural and religious celebrations throughout the year bring people together; and often involve the sharing and consumption of food.

Ontario wants all Eid celebrations to be safe for families and friends to enjoy. This means:

  • obtaining meat from inspected sources
  • following safety rules if visiting a provincially licensed meat plant

In obtaining your meat at an Ontario-licensed meat plant, you are taking a positive step to safeguarding your family's health and safety.

To ensure that you get the products you need, contact a meat plant well before Eid.

Provincially licensed meat plants

In Ontario, it is illegal to slaughter food animals outside of licensed meat plants (unless permitted by regulation).

Provincially licensed meat plants are independent businesses performing slaughter services year-round and during Eid. Meat plant operators strive to serve your needs for halal meat so that everyone receives service in a safe and respectful environment.

Ontario’s Food Safety Inspectors are on site during inspections and any time an animal is slaughtered at meat plants to ensure that the province's food safety and animal welfare regulations are met, including humane transport of animals.

Ontario legend

Meat products obtained from licensed meat plants for Eid are inspected and stamped as approved for human consumption.

The Ontario inspection legend is your assurance that the meat you are purchasing is safe to eat.

Visiting the meat plant

Here’s what you need to know and do when you’re visiting a meat plant:

  • When you arrive at the meat plant, please check in with plant staff.

  • Wear sanitary attire and follow hand washing practices where meat products are present. Sanitary attire includes:

    • appropriate footwear (closed-toed shoes) or disposable boot covers
    • beard nets
    • hair nets
    • clean lab coat or similar garment to cover street clothes
  • Follow the operator's instructions to receive your meat products.
  • Restricted areas of the plant and containers of inedible products are off limits to customers.
  • Direct your questions to the meat plant operator or to his or her identified representative, rather than to inspectors.
  • Note that photography and video may not be permitted for safety and privacy reasons. Please check with the operator prior to arrival.
  • Please note that most plants do not have public washrooms.
  • All animals must receive ante mortem (live animal inspection) by a ministry inspector before slaughter.
  • Your patience is appreciated as longer wait times may be expected during Eid; bring any supplies you may need during the day including food, water and portable chairs.

Handling and transporting unrefrigerated meat products

Meat products are required to be refrigerated; however, during Eid, exemptions may be made.

When picking up meat products at a licensed meat plant during Eid, take precautions:

  • ensure the meat is wrapped
  • place it immediately in a cooler or box with ice

When arriving at home:

  • cook the meat as soon as possible; refrigerate it until cooking
  • thoroughly clean all surfaces that come in contact with raw meat
  • cook meat to a minimum internal temperature of 71°C or 160°F

Find religious slaughter services

A number of licensed meat plants across Ontario provide religious slaughter services for Eid-al-Adha and/or other religious celebrations.

Browse through the list of licensed meat plants.

Ontario's meat inspection services

Ontario's meat inspectors are important partners in the province's food safety and animal welfare system.

The province's meat inspectors are staff of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. They work with meat plant operators to ensure that the province's food safety and animal welfare laws are met.

A key role for Ontario's meat inspectors is to ensure compliance with the province's food safety and animal welfare laws. They make sure the inspected meat you obtain for Eid-al-Adha and throughout the year, is safe for you, your family and friends to enjoy.

If a risk to public safety, food safety, or animal welfare is identified, inspectors may intervene in the slaughter operation.