Halal Australian lamb is a smart choice of lean, tender and healthy meat for the table. It’s just what you need to rack up your high-quality protein needs, and fill up deliciously on the essential nutrients needed for strong immunity.
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| Dr Justin Lee with Sanjay Boothalingam (centre), Chefs Eric Siew and Steven Wong, and Rose Yong, far left showing the lamb pies and lamb products |
Australian lamb is a very versatile meat, with many cuts that work with many different flavours. The meat holds up well with and without spices and marinades, both in Asian and western cuisines without losing its true essence. It’s quality meat that’s easy to cook and is easily available in supermarkets and hypermarkets all year round.
Australian lamb has the all-natural advantage of being pasture-raised and grassfed in a pure environment and the meat is free of artificial additives and hormones. Sustainable agriculture is conscientiously practised in Australia and its sheep meat industry is now considered climate neutral and carbon neutral. This means that eating Australian lamb does not have an adverse impact on the environment.
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| Australian High Commissioner Dr Justin Lee (second right) and Sanjay Boothalingam with Lambassdors Steven Wong and Eric Siew |
According to Valeska, Regional Manager for South-east Asia, Meat & Livestock Australia, maintaining current production and consumption levels of Australian red meat – beef and lamb -- will not contribute to additional global temperature rise – otherwise known as ‘climate neutral’.
“In addition, greenhouse gas emissions from our red meat industry have halved over the last 16 years. There is significantly more tree cover on Australia’s grazing lands than there was 30 years ago, and it takes 68% less water to produce a kilo of beef,” she said.
Australian lamb is halal to the bone. The animals are slaughtered under the Australian Government Supervised Halal Programme, by Muslims approved by accredited Islamic certifying authorities in accredited processing plants, according to strict Islamic law or Syariah, and also complying to importing country’s strict halal protocol. This programme is guaranteed under the Australian law, and administered by the Federal Department of Agriculture.
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| Dr Justin Lee and Sanjay Boothalingam showing the halal Australian lamb products |
More than adherence to a set of conditions of how the animal is slaughtered and meat processed, Halal also refers to how the animal is treated during its life, emphasising zero tolerance to animal abuse and mistreatment.
It must also be provided with enough space to roam, clean water, food and fresh air and access to all these is abundantly available in Australia. Animal welfare is top priority among farmers in Australia and it is regulated by laws enforced by Government. As it’s a large and isolated island continent, all livestock are naturally free from animal diseases.
Malaysia is Australia’s second largest export market for mutton and largest destination for sheepmeat in South-East Asia. Despite modest per capita consumption levels, the frequency of sheepmeat consumption is relatively high in Malaysian diets. About one-third of consumers say they have bought lamb in the last month, well above Asia’s average of 19% (Source: MLA Global Consumer Tracker).
In 2020-2021, Australian sheepmeat exports to Malaysia reached an all-time high at 26,010 tonnes, largely driven by a 45% year-on-year increase in demand for lamb. This is a reflection on Malaysians’ priority for healthy foods to keep immunity strong.
Health Benefits of Halal Australian Lamb
Australian lamb is a good source of protein and contains 13 essential nutrients required for good health. Among them are Iron, Zinc, Omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins.
Lean Australian lamb is an excellent source of iron and zinc. Iron is important for energy, brain function, and healthy growth and development, particularly in babies, toddlers and children. The iron in lamb is the easiest type (called heme-iron) for the body to absorb and use. A 130 gm (palm size) of lean Australian lamb gives you enough of the nutrients.
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| Pie making demo by Lambassador Chef Eric Siew |
Australian grassfed lamb (when trimmed of visible fat) is a source of Omega 3 fatty acids, the same healthy fat found in fish.
Delicious Ways with Halal Australian Lamb
Australian lamb is suitable for all kinds of cooking, both Asian and western. Think any recipes like Barbecued Ginger Lamb Satay with Thai Dipping Sauce, Bulgogi Style Lamb Lettuce Cups, Zesty Lemon & Roasted Garlic Leg of Lamb Steak, easy-carve lamb roast and Aussie Lamb Baharat Party Pies, among several other delicious dishes. (Recipes are available at https://www.trueaussiebeefandlamb.my/)
Hands-on Cooking Workshop with Halal Australian Lamb
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| Fruits of their labour – Lamb pies made by the media |
Australian High Commissioner Dr Justin Lee led the media in the making of lamb open pies in a hands-on workshop conducted by Lambassador Chef Eric Siew and Chef Steven Wong from Hilton KL .
