Italian firms look at halal, kosher opportunities

Federalimentare says Italian food producers could benefit

Italian Halal Food(ANSAmed) – MILAN, JUNE 9 – Italy’s national food-and-drink-producers association Federalimentare held its third meeting at Milan Expo 2015 on Tuesday for Italian food and drink producers and international buyers, highlighting opportunities for halal and kosher food production.

Foods certified halal or kosher are produced following Islamic or Jewish dietary laws, respectively, and Tuesday’s meeting included buyers from Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

“In the Middle East, consuming ‘Made in Italy’ products is a status symbol,” said Giovanni Delle Donne, Federalimentare’s director of promotion and internationalization. “Some (Italian producers) already have all the characteristics necessary for certification, but they don’t know it and they don’t take advantage of this business opportunity,” he said.(ANSAmed).