Halal Certification:
Halal certification states that the food or the products are permissible for the followers of Islam and no haram product or procedure is used while its manufacturing or processing.
What does Halal law states?
Halal practices mentioned in the Quran are as follows:
- Only a Muslim man can slaughter the animal. In many texts, it is also mentioned that if Jews and Christians slaughter the animals following the rest of the steps (Halal procedure), the meat is halal as per the Islamic dietary laws.
- The animal must be slaughtered with the help of a sharp knife with a cut to the jugular vein, carotid artery and windpipe.
- The Quranic verse must be read while slaughtering the animal and is known as Tasmiya or Shahada.
- At the time of slaughter, the animal must be alive and healthy. The maximum amount of blood must be drained from the veins of the carcass.
- Consuming meat of an animal which is already dead or other than the halal process is prohibited in Islam.
Halal Certification
In many Islamic countries, halal certification is given by the government. In India, FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) certification can be seen on almost all the processed foods but this authority doesn't give halal certification in India. Halal certification is given by many private companies in India which marks the food or products permissible for the followers of Islam. Important halal certification companies in India are:
- Halal India Private Limited.
- Halal Certification Services India Private Limited.
- Jamiat Ulama-E-Maharashtra- A state unit of Jamiat Ulama-E-Hind.
- Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust.
What issues have risen with halal certification?
- The cost of the products which are halal certified increases as the certification process is not free of cost. Also, to get a halal certification, several modifications need to be made in the making process.
- In several sectors, employment opportunities to non-Muslims are unavailable-- Halal Slaughterhouse.
- Halal certification is a discriminatory process towards the non-muslims especially in the halal meat industry.
- There's no standard halal certification process to date. This means halal-certified products from one country may not be recognised in the other country. For Example, halal certification of India is invalid in UAE.