M&S Food first to launch own-brand Halal prepared meals

M&S will be making history next week by becoming the first major UK food retailer to launch its own range of Halal prepared meals.

Having recognised a “growing demand for a Halal diet”, M&S will be making available half-a-dozen prepared meals from 6th November across 36 selected stores (see below).

With the new range being certified by the Halal Food Authority (HFA), M&S Food says it has “worked with HFA and M&S suppliers to deliver Halal certified versions of its most popular prepared meals”.

These will include the Chicken Arrabbiata and Chicken & Mushroom Tagliatelle at £2.50 each, and the Chicken & Leek Bake, Chicken Hotpot, Chicken Jalfrezi and a Chicken Tikka Masala at £3.50 each.

Our new Halal meal range is a great example of how we are broadening appeal so that more customers can enjoy our delicious, quality food – M&S Food

Stuart Machin, Managing Director of M&S Food, said in a release: “Protecting the magic of M&S Food means leading the way as food innovators, with first to market ranges that respond to growing dietary demands and can deliver real commercial impact. M&S Food is changing to become more relevant, more often to families across Britain and our new Halal meal range is a great example of how we are broadening appeal so that more customers can enjoy our delicious, quality food.”

The move follows a strong sales response from local customers after a range of Shazans branded Halal chicken products were introduced to selected stores back in May of this year.

M&S Halal prepared meal range, while having a striking orange packaging design, will be stocked at the following 36 M&S Food stores across the UK while also being sold by M&S’ international franchise partner Al-Futtaim in markets that include Singapore and Dubai: