Don't buy Halal

Halal describes what is fit and proper  for Muslims to eat. It gives a range of beverages and foods (including meat) that are acceptable. Halal food laws are based on interpretation of the Quran, the Muslim scripture. Before halal slaughter, prayers to Allah are required

However, there are other forms of halal slaughter that do not stun animals prior to slaughter. In these instances, the relevant state or territory meat-inspection authority can approve an abattoir for ritual slaughter for the domestic market. The requirements for this type of slaughter are set out in a nationally adopted guideline Ritual Slaughter for Ovine (Sheep) and Bovine (Cattle).

For cattle, this means the animal must remain in an upright position with the head and body restrained. The animal must be stunned with a captive-bolt pistol immediately after the throat is cut (known as sticking). Two separate people must perform the sticking and stunning. If there are any problems restraining the animal while attempting to stick it, then it must be stunned immediately.

For religious slaughter of sheep, the guideline requires cutting both the carotid arteries and the jugular veins. This must be confirmed  if they are not completely severed, then the animal must be immediately stunned.

Cattle and sheep requirements are different because cattle have an extra blood supply to the brain through the back of the neck. Therefore, cutting cattles throats results in less-rapid loss of consciousness.

definition of humane killing is: an animal must be either killed instantly or rendered insensible to pain until death supervenes. When killing animals for food, this means they must be stunned before slaughter so they immediately become unconscious.