27 SEPTEMBER 2023

Halal certification ensures that food, beverages, and other products meet the dietary and ethical standards set forth in Islamic law. 

It is essential for Muslims to follow specific dietary guidelines outlined in the Quran. Halal standards are derived from the Quran and Hadith.

Halal certification is not limited to food; it can also apply to cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other consumer goods. 

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It’s a way for consumers to make informed choices based on their religious beliefs, and it also facilitates trade in regions with significant Muslim populations.

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Halal standards are derived from the Quran and Hadith

Islamophobia, fuelled by misinformation in some cases, have raised the controversy surrounding halal certification. False claims and conspiracy theories have circulated, further complicating the issue.

In the context of food, “halal” means permissible in Arabic. Halal food must adhere to Islamic dietary laws, which include:

• No consumption of pork or pork products.

• No consumption of animals that died of themselves or were not slaughtered according to Islamic ritual guidelines.

• Proper handling and processing of food to avoid contamination with non-halal substances.

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Once a product is certified as halal, it can bear a halal mark or label, assuring consumers, especially Muslims, that the product follows Islamic dietary laws. 

Manufacturers seek halal certification from recognized Islamic authorities or organizations to ensure that food products meet these standards.

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These authorities inspect the production processes, ingredients, and handling methods to confirm that they comply with halal requirements.

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Islamophobia, fuelled by misinformation in some cases, have raised the controversy surrounding halal certification

In India, halal certification is issued by various Islamic organizations and private certifying bodies, like Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind Halal India, as India does not have a centralized national halal certification authority.

In the United Kingdom (UK), halal certification is primarily conducted by Islamic organizations and private certifying bodies like the Halal Food Authority (HFA), Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC), Halal Certification Europe (HCE)

Like India, the UK does not have a single national authority for halal certification, resulting in multiple certifying bodies.

The United States provides certification using a range of organizations and agencies like the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA), Islamic Services of America (ISA), and the American Halal Foundation (AHF). 

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The United States, like India, also does not have a centralized government agency responsible for halal certification.

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In India, halal certification is issued by various Islamic organizations and private certifying bodies...

Other countries where Halal certification exists are Germany, the United States, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Pakistan, Singapore, Australia, South Africa, and Thailand.

Primarily, the controversy surrounding halal certification revolves around several key issues:

• Perceived Profit Motive: There are concerns that some see halal certification as a way for certifying bodies to generate revenue driven by profit motive. 

• While these organizations charge fees for their certification services, the profits from halal certification fees typically go to the organizations themselves. 

Critics claim that, in some cases, certification may be more about profit than religious compliance, leading to suspicion and distrust.

• Costs and Fees: Some critics argue that the certification process is expensive for businesses, leading to increased production costs that may be passed on to consumers. 

They contend that halal certification fees can be a financial burden, especially for small businesses.

For example, a small business in the US may pay anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand US dollars per year for halal certification. 

Likewise, the cost of halal certification in Malaysia can range from a few hundred to several thousand Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) per year for a single product line, depending on factors like the size of the business and the scope of certification.

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This cost burden is distributed to all consumers, irrespective of their religion. Hence, it can be argued that it is unnecessary for non-Muslims.

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... a small business in the US may pay anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand US dollars per year for halal certification

• Lack of Standardization: The halal certification process lacks uniformity and standardization worldwide. Different certifying bodies may have varying criteria and interpretations of halal. 

While some countries may adopt standards set by international organizations or other recognized bodies, others develop their guidelines based on local interpretations of Islamic dietary laws and cultural considerations. 

Often, businesses seeking halal certification for international markets need to navigate these variations and ensure compliance with the specific standards of their target countries or regions.

Presently, only meat and meat-based products, along with their ingredients, necessitate a compulsory halal certification for entry into the Saudi Arabian market, a requirement shared by other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, such as the UAE. 

However, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has taken a step forward compared to its neighboring countries. 

It has recently introduced a draft regulation that would extend the mandatory halal certificate requirement to include a broader range of food products seeking entry into the Saudi Arabian market. 

According to RSPCA of the United Kingdom, UK laws require animals to be stunned before slaughter. However, Jewish and Muslim communities aren’t legally required to stun the animal before slaughter.

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Malaysia has strict guidelines for the halal slaughter of animals. The term “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah) must be invoked during slaughter, and animals must face the Qibla (the direction of Mecca) during the process. 

Stunning animals before slaughter is generally allowed, but there are specific requirements for stunning methods.

Hence, some critics raise concerns about treating animals in the halal slaughter process. 

While halal slaughter is intended to be humane, there have been allegations of improper handling and cruelty, sparking animal welfare concerns.

• Consumer Rights: On the consumer side, some argue that mandatory halal labelling is unnecessary in non-Muslim-majority countries.

They believe consumers should have the choice to purchase products with or without halal certification, and compulsory labelling could be seen as infringing on that choice.

 However, labelling food according to religious dietary requirements allows consumers to make informed choices based on their dietary preferences and religious beliefs.

 It provides transparency about the product’s compliance with specific religious standards, such as halal.

• Religious Segregation: Labelling based on religion can promote inclusivity and diversity in societies with multicultural populations. 

It acknowledges the dietary needs of different religious and cultural groups and encourages respect for their traditions. 

But there is a potential risk of stigmatization, too. There is a concern that mandatory certification could mark out certain religious groups, implying that their dietary choices are separate or different from the mainstream.

Ultimately, the decision to certify food according to religious dietary requirements should consider the cultural and religious diversity of the 

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population, consumer preferences, and the desire to promote transparency and inclusivity while balancing practicality and economic considerations.

It’s a matter that often involves ongoing dialogue and adaptation to meet the evolving needs of religious tolerance, consumers and society.

Other religion that requires certification:

Kosher certification is an integral part of Jewish dietary laws. Kosher food adheres to religious dietary restrictions outlined in the Torah. 

Kosher certification ensures that products meet these requirements, including properly handling meat and dairy products.

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...cost burden is distributed to all consumers, irrespective of their religion

Other religions that requires strict dietary requirements:

• Hinduism: While Hinduism does not have a formal food certification system, adherents may seek food products free from certain impure items, such as meat and alcohol.

Many Hindus also follow a vegetarian diet, avoiding animal products involving slaughter.

• Sikhism: Sikhs do not have specific food certification requirements, but they adhere to dietary principles that involve avoiding intoxicants, including alcohol and certain types of meat.

• Buddhism: Buddhism does not have strict food certification requirements, but many Buddhists follow vegetarian or vegan diets as a form of non-harming and compassion towards all living beings.

• Jainism: Jains have strict dietary rules, including avoiding certain root vegetables and strict vegetarianism. While there may not be a formal certification process, Jain followers meticulously adhere to these dietary principles.

• Christianity: Unlike some religions, Christianity does not have specific food certification requirements outlined in the Bible.

 However, some Christian denominations may have dietary guidelines or restrictions, such as fasting during certain times of the year.

• Baha’i Faith: The Baha’i Faith does not have specific food certification requirements, but adherents are encouraged to follow a diet that promotes good health and well-being.

• Various Indigenous Religions: There may be specific dietary practices and taboos in various indigenous and traditional belief systems. These can vary greatly between cultures and communities.

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Our world will be divided into secular and religious consumers

If all religions were to require food certification similar to halal certification, it would represent a significant shift in how food products are produced, certified, labelled, and consumed. 

• हलाल प्रमाणीकरण - धार्मिक खाद्य बहस 

Such a scenario would have several implications and challenges for society and the global outlook.

Our world will be divided into secular and religious consumers. Also, the food will be discriminated by religion, even though a certification will help people to efficiently adhere to their religion.

At this time, when the world is facing turmoil based on religion, one has to be extemely cautious in handling these delicate issues.

And therefore debate must go on!