Big Macs set to go Halal in Preston

Preston’s Muslim population will be able to hoe into Big Macs from June when Preston McDonald’s goes Halal.

The 24-hour store, on the corner of Bell St and St Georges Rd, has already started building works required to sell Halal alongside non-Halal food.

McDonald’s spokeswoman Bronwyn Stubbs said Preston would join the other three Halal stores in St Albans, Roxburgh Park and Brunswick East.

Ms Stubbs said McDonald’s had worked closely with the Halal Certification Authority for accreditation for most of the restaurant’s products including: the Big Mac, cheeseburger and most other burgers, Chicken McNuggets and the McChicken, the Fillet of Fish and fries.

The Bacon and Egg McMuffin is not Halal as Muslims do not eat pork.

Preston residents who talked to the Leader were generally positive about the move, but one Muslim resident raised concerns about having both Halal and non-Halal food in the same kitchen.

Abdul Aziz Spinghar, of Fawkner, said he was concerned about cross-contamination.

“They will have different food types in the same kitchen and some young people working there (may not) worry very much about keeping the foods separate,” he said.

Ms Stubbs said Muslims should not be concerned as there would be special equipment and strict enforcement of Halal guidelines.

“We will segregate the food on the grills and in storage they will be completely separate. Staff will also receive extensive training,” she said.

Other residents did not share Mr Aziz’s concerns. Harika Reddy and Rupesh Gujrathi, or Reservoir, said they would eat at McDonald’s regularly.

“I tasted Halal McDonald’s in Malaysia and Singapore and the Halal meat is tastier. Of course, I’ll go more often,” Ms Reddy said.

Halal meat has been slaughtered in a specific way in the name of Allah.

Ms Stubbs said the rebuild may force the restaurant to close for a week or two just before opening.