Halal manufacturer KQF has launched chicken and beef Bacon substitutes certified by the Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC).

The ‘macon rashers’ (rsp: £1.79/110g) went on sale through indies and c-stores this month after a successful trial. KQF said they were the first products of their kind to be certified by the HMC. While the term ‘macon’ originates from a mutton-based bacon substitute popular in South Africa, KQF’s products are made from strips of smoked beef or chicken.

The products contained less saturated fat than bacon, said KQF MD Faruk Vali. “We’ve been working hard on NPD, particularly on healthier kinds of convenience food,” he added.