ROCKVILLE, Md.—According to a new report from Packaged Facts, "MarketTrend: Kosher- and Halal-Certified Foods in the U.S.," sales of certified kosher foods through grocery stores swelled from nearly $150 billion in 2003 to more than $200 billion in 2008, demonstrating a compound annual growth rate twice that of the overall food market.
"U.S. consumers who are not followers of Judaism or Islam are largely unaware of the specific qualities that distinguish kosher and halal from conventional foods," says Packaged Facts Publisher Tatjana Meerman. "However, factors related to safety, quality, and 'truth in labeling' should prompt these mainstream consumers to seek out kosher/halal more often, although marketers and third-party certifiers must make a greater effort to educate consumers before that can happen. Shoppers already read food labels," she continues. "So, a kosher/halal certification seal should be one of the things they are looking for."
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