Consumer Attitudes in the Tuzla Canton Regarding Halal Nutrition

Consumers today are increasingly aware of the impact of food on health and pursue dietary practices that sustain physical well-being, prevent diseases, and enhance mental health and quality of life. The aim of the research was to determine the attitudes of consumers in the Tuzla Canton regarding the impact of halal diets on reducing health risks associated with obesity and non-communicable diseases. The study employed data analysis on information collected through an anonymous questionnaire administered to respondents in the Tuzla Canton, and compared these findings with secondary data derived from relevant scientific and professional literature on the benefits of halal diets. A high percentage of the most favorable response option on the Likert scale was observed for questions regarding commitment to the consumption of halal products and dishes prepared with halal ingredients (86.3%), awareness of the health benefits of Ramadan fasting (81.6%), and the practice of Ramadan fasting (84.5%). However, despite these high percentages, particularly concerning commitment to halal diets, the proportion of the most favorable responses for questions related to the nutritional aspects of halal diets was notably low; specifically, responses regarding monitoring nutritional information on halal products (23.3%), consuming a diverse range of halal foods while maintaining nutritional balance (11.0%), and consuming halal food in moderation (28.2%). For all three of these questions, the intermediate response option, namely “occasionally,” was frequently selected, with percentages of 60.2%, 61.0%, and 57.8%, respectively. The response to the seventh question confirmed the potential of halal diets in reducing excessive body weight and obesity, as 48.1% of respondents reported a decrease in body weight after Ramadan fasting. The respondents’ answers indicate a positive impact of halal diets on health. The high proportion of intermediate responses for questions of a nutritional nature (nutritional balance, diversity, and moderation) indicates a need for consumer education on the nutritional aspects of halal food. Such education would contribute to establishing a stronger scientific foundation for consumers’ attitudes and experiences regarding halal food, potentially resulting in a higher percentage of respondents providing the most favorable responses to these and similar questions.