Industry observers have known for some time that halal meat, which was primarily marketed to Muslim consumers, has become increasingly popular among people from all demographic groups.

This has become increasingly obvious as many major restaurants have started to offer halal food, and Kentucky Fried Chicken's recent announcement of their transition to halal chicken only at their restaurants across Ontario is one of the most notable examples of this.

Statistics clearly show that more and more people are requesting halal food, so their decision involves not only the growing number of Muslim residents in the province and across North America, but also indicates what has become more popular among restaurant-goers seeking healthy options.

The Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America reported that people in the United States spent $20 billion on halal food in 2020 - and this number continues to rise.

According to Mordor's investigative report on the halal food and beverage market in North America, "the halal label has shifted from a religious identification mark limited to specific groups to a guarantee of food safety, hygiene, and reliability, which has increased its popularity among both Muslim and non-Muslim consumers."

The report also indicates that “companies seeking to enhance their competitiveness find obtaining halal certification essential to keep up with market trends, as it has proven to be a great marketing tool for businesses and meat manufacturers.”

While they are not surprised by the increasing popularity of halal, the founders of Food Plus More consider their halal certification to be much more than just a marketing tool. It is about culture, tradition, and family - and their strict commitment to halal practices is not a new matter.

Their passion for halal has grown from their roots as a restaurant first opened by the Tawachi family a quarter of a century ago. The restaurant sold doner, burgers, and other items - but it was their mastery of their father's doner recipe that changed everything, leading them to sell it to other restaurants, which became a great success. Eventually, they left the restaurant business and expanded operations to open a meat processing facility to distribute their famous doner products.

Today, Food Plus More is the preferred supplier of halal beef - federally certified in both the United States and Canada, serving many restaurants as a trusted source of high-quality halal doner meat, meeting the stringent regulations of the USDA and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to ensure the highest level of health, safety, and traceability.

For his part, the company’s General Manager, Joe Tawachi, said: "Doner is an example of halal meat that is particularly popular in large parts of North America, especially on the East Coast. This is particularly beneficial for establishments located in densely populated areas or those serving food to tourists interested in experiencing local cuisine."

Food Plus More describes their signature product this way: "Doner is a beloved dish known for its unique and delicious flavor. This dish features halal beef marinated with refreshing garlic sauce and fresh vegetables, creating a wonderful blend of savory, sweet, and refreshing flavors. The meat is seasoned with aromatic Mediterranean spices, providing a rich and enticing taste. When combined with the creamy garlic sauce and crispy vegetables, doner offers a satisfying culinary experience that is unforgettable."

Today, the industry-leading company operates from a modern facility spanning 27,000 square feet in Welland, Ontario, across the border at Niagara Falls, and this state-of-the-art space allows FoodsPlus to meet growing customer demands while maintaining the high standards that define the brand.

Tawachi explains that the strict guidelines for halal meat production mean that the beef is free from certain additives and hormones, resulting in a cleaner and more natural product, stating "the consumption of halal beef brings many advantages: it adheres to Islamic dietary laws, ensures humane treatment and slaughter of the animal, and moreover, many believe that the specific method of halal slaughter improves meat quality, enhancing the flavor and overall texture of the doner."

Tawachi added, "Every product meets the highest standards of purity, quality, and ethical integrity; we are deeply committed to providing halal products, which not only ensure ethical handling but also guarantee numerous health benefits. This dedication to purity, quality, and integrity is at the core of everything we do."