We take dietary needs seriously! If you follow a diet related to religious (ex. halal) Hospitality Services have your back!
Queen’s Dining Services is committed to supporting students who follow a halal diet by offering certified halal protein options and transparent information about food preparation practices. This guide explains how halal ingredients are identified on campus menus, how meals are prepared, and how students can access additional support if they have specific dietary requirements.
Where to Find Halal Options on Campus
- Halal protein options are available across campus dining locations (excluding franchises), either as part of menu items or through substitutions options. Check out the for food locations.
- Visit the Special Diet Options page for examples of items available. Our chefs and managers are happy to answer questions about ingredients and meal preparation. Students are encouraged to speak with chef/manager if they would like additional information or prefer a meal prepared separately.
Residence Dining:
- Contains certified Halal protein.
- Entrées with the halal icon in residence dining halls do not contain haram ingredients and contain certified halal proteins. Some recipes are subject to change. If you do not see the icon on the menu board, please verify it with a chef.
Retail Locations:
- The halal icon identifies certified halal protein used in the item. Other ingredients in the recipe may vary. Students are encouraged to chef with a chef or manager for more information.
Fresh-to-go:
- The halal icon identifies certified halal protein used in the item.
How to Identify Halal Options on Menus
Where “halal upon request” is noted, a halal substitution is available. For example, halal turkey bacon and/or halal turkey sausages is available upon request when identified on menus. Please Note: The halal icon is displayed on in-person menu boards exclusively. Online dining hall menus are unable to display the halal icon currently due to technical limitations prohibiting compliance with all aspects of the Canadian Food and Drug Regulations.
Halal menu identifiers are applied based on verified ingredient information and supplier sourcing. Our team reviews recipes and products to ensure that menu labels accurately reflect the ingredients used and how items are prepared.
Halal Meal Preparation
Staff are trained on Food safety and cross-contact prevention, Halal protein handling procedure, and halal meal preparation practices including handwashing, glove changes, use of fresh new utensils and/or dedicated utensils (including yellow color-coded knives/spatulas) and cleaning shared equipment before preparing halal items.
Pork & Bacon handling:
- Pork products, including bacon, are not considered halal and are handled separately within our dining operations.
- To reduce the risk of cross-contact, bacon is prepared in designated back-of-house areas, and staff follow specific food handling procedures when preparing halal items, including cleaning surfaces and using separate utensils.
- If you have questions about how a specific item is prepared, please speak with a chef or manager.
We understand individual comfort levels may vary. Shared Equipment Transparency: Ask Before You Eat - Speak with chef/manager
Grills:
- Designated cooking areas or cleaning procedures used
Deep fryers:
- Some fryers are shared
- Items prepared in shared fryers are not identified as halal
Preparation spaces:
- Ask, we can explain preparation methods upon request
Upon request, meals can be produced separately, and additional precautionary measures can be taken. Advanced notice is required for such requests in residence dining – please call 30 minutes in advance, otherwise please expect delays with preparing customized meals upon arrival.
- Ban Righ – 613-533-6000 ext. 74567
- Leonard – 613-533-6000 ext. 74585
- Jean Royce – 613-533-6000 ext. 74991
If you have questions about halal options or meal preparation, please speak with a chef or manager on site.
For urgent inquiries outside of regular hours, you may contact the residence dining locations directly using the phone numbers listed above. Additional support or dietary accommodation is available at any point throughout the year, as needed, upon consultation with the Registered Dietitian. Questions or concerns should be directed to dietitian@queensu.ca.
Important links:
Special Diet Options: Learn about our menu identifiers and locations where special diet options are available.
: Book before arriving on campus or as close to move in as possible. Meet with the Dietitian again at any time throughout the year.