French economic growth is slowing, unemployment rising. Yet, France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy declared “the biggest concern of French people is halal meat.” Who knew?

Muslim tourists beware: the next time you visit France, don’t think you can take refuge by ordering the traditionally halal safe Filet O-Fish at McDonald’s as the buns may just contain pork.

In a country known for its obsession with cuisine, the issue could play with a wider audience, including animal rights groups, consumer advocates and food industry professionals.

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen pokes on halal claiming Muslim values are increasingly influencing local policy and endangering France’s secular tradition.

The Malaysian Ministry of International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) will be discussing with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) as part of its effort to assist foreign companies to obtain Halal certification

Demand for Halal products in France is increasing by as much as 15 per cent annually, fueled by a growing Muslim population now numbering over seven million. Capitalising well on that fact is the Paris Halal Expo, now into its 8th edition.

The Knacki Herta brand by Nestle is stamped as halal, which is to say that it is fit for consumption according to the principles of Islam. Are they really?

Nestle said on Tuesday it was suspending all production of its Herta halal products after a laboratory found traces of pork in their sausage.

Trumpeted by its manufacturer as a way for Muslims to integrate within the European society, the drink has been derided as a misguided and demeaning attempt to imitate non-Muslim habits.

Enticed with France’s US$7.5bn Halal food demand a year, UAE-based Al Islami Foods announced its plan to tap the burgeoning local market at the end of the SIAL Expo in Paris.

French Muslims will have access to a variety of Malaysian-made Halal products soon as Matrade, the Malaysian trade marketing arm, has committed to expand Malaysian presence in France’s huge Halal food sector.

The powerful main Paris Mosque complained last week that Quick’s restaurants to go Halal-only with its burger patties was meaningless, as they should have had other ingredients checked as well, from its mustard to buns to fries.

France’s halal market has ‘exploded’ in the past three years, increasing by 20 per cent a year and is estimated to worth €5.5-billion ($7.5 billion) this year.

The controversy surrounding the decision by Quick restaurant to switch entirely to Halal meat in their pre-dominantly Muslim majority outlets have created a real tension amongst the people of France. Here’s an analysis by Al Jazeera English regarding the issue.