The Selection of Halal Shopping List, Costco Edition
Written by Farid Putra san (www.faridputra.com)
So, recently I went to Costco Kawasaki hunting for groceries. A lot of quality foods and ingredients with a cheaper price are there. Because you know, Costco itself called their business “Costco Wholesale”, and usually the packaging of the stuff they selling are in bulk size. Surely, most of the product come with a cheaper price in unit compared to other retail store or online store out there.
If you have not been to Costco store yet, the first time you go inside there will be like entering giant warehouse full of consumer products, mostly foods, and lifestyle goods. The feel is quite similar to entering Ikea store, but it is also quite different because of the later more like focus on selling furniture stuff.
Back to the Costco story, I am actually hunting some fresh meats, vegetables and fruits there. On the same section with butter, cheese, cream cheese section I found the frozen packaging of chicken legs with “Halal” signature on it. It is quite surprising because it is not even stacked on the meat section. It is quite far separated from frozen sausage shelf, and even it is really far away from the normal “Sakura” chicken stacked near the frozen beef, and other meats. The second halal signature product which is very good quality is lamb shoulder, it is usually stacked behind “Sakura Chicken” frozen shelf. And the last product of Halal signature food you could buy is actually a fruit, Medjool dates (placed near cold-room vegetable section). So here is the detail of top three must-buy halal products list.
1. Chicken Mate (Legs)
The name of this chicken leg product is “Chicken Mate” and produced by BRF S.A. (Sadia), distributed in Japan by Japan Food Corporation. The name came from “Yerba Mate Leaves”, which are used by the procedure of feeding the chicken before slaughtering. It is packed with 2 Kg of packaging with extremely very cheap in price. The normal price is actually 880 yen but one time they are lowering the price until 638 yen.
2. Lamb Shoulder (Thomas Farms)
At first, anyone will difficult to notice whether this lamb meat is halal or not. But after I have done my research contacting Costco customer support, they actually explained that this meat indeed halal because there is a Halal signature on the back of the packaging. I did not notice that at first. So, it is good news for us the Muslim which is craving for lamb meats for the lamb chop, lamb curry, etc. There is two type of the lamb products here: frenched (over 1 kg) and block (over 2 kg). Both of them ranging from 2,000 yen until 3,000 yen.
3. Medjool Dates (Natural Delights)
Although I could not find the typical “Halal” label on the product packaging itself, this product and the Natural Delights brand carry the Crescent-M logo, IFANCA’s symbol of halal compliance (https://goo.gl/00UPNH). So, if you really a fan of Medjool dates fruit, this is your home-run buy on the Costco. It is dried on the outside part but soft-chewy on the inside with a very sweet taste. It is just like its tag-line “It’s a grab-and-go fruit snack” and fit for everyone. So grab it when you have a chance at the store. This gorgeous fruit is priced 998 yen.
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