HALAL

What does Halal mean?

Halal is an Arabic word meaning permissible.

The Halal certificate is a document that guarantees that products and services aimed at the Muslim population meet the requirements of Islamic law. Therefore, they are suitable for consumption both in countries with a Muslim majority and in Western countries where a significant group of the population professes Islam (France, Germany, Great Britain, Spain).

Halal certification can be (depending on the laws of the country):

• Voluntary
• Mandatory

By offering Halal-certified products, Muslim consumers can be sure that the products they use correspond to their culture and beliefs.

The Halal certificate indicates compliance with the requirements for Halal food products, which must be observed at all stages:

• Obtaining,
• Preparation,
• Packaging,
• Labeling,
• Loading and unloading,
• Transportation,
• Distribution,
• Storage,
• Layout,
• Public catering

Types of products for mandatory Halal certification

• Food products
• Cosmetics

Why is it important to have a Halal certificate?

There are about 2 billion Muslims in the world. This market segment has grown rapidly over the past few years and is currently valued at approximately $2 trillion. Cosmetics, personal care products, healthcare and pharmaceuticals will see the greatest growth in halal products, as demand for them is rising at a rapid pace.

Importance of Halal Certification:
As Muslims, it is our duty to eat Halal food, and in the Holy Quran it is heavily emphasized to consume food that fulfills certain criteria to be Halal. Some verses are:

• “So eat of that (meat) upon which Allah's name has been mentioned, if you are believers in His verses” (Al-Anaam 6:118)
• “And do not eat that upon which the name of Allah has not been mentioned, for indeed it is a grave disobedience”. (Al-Anaam 6:121)
• “O Messengers, eat from the pure foods and work righteousness” (Al-Mumenoon 23:51)

From Hadiths:

1. Ka`b Ibn Ujrah relates that the Prophet of Allah (PBUH) said, “A body nourished with Haram will not enter Jannah”. (Tirmidhi)
2. S'ad RA relates: Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said “O S'ad, purify your food (and as a result) you will become one whose supplications are accepted. I swear by He in whose hands the soul of Muhammad (PBUH) lies, verily a servant (of Allah) tosses a Haram morsel in his stomach (due to which) no deed is accepted from him for 40 days” (Tabarani)
3. Abu Bakr RA narrated that Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said “That body will not enter Paradise which has been nourished with Haram” (Baihaqi)
4. Jabir RA reported, Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said, “That flesh will not enter Paradise which has grown from Haram, and all that flesh which has grown from Haram, the fire (of hell) is more worthy of it.” (Ahmed, Darimi, Baihaqi)

Advantages of Halal Certification to the Manufacturers and Producers:

• Improves brand image by fulfilling diverse consumer requirements.
• Opens access to a worldwide Halal food market of over 1.5 billion people.
• Provides a strong competitive edge.
• Ensures strict sanitation and hygienic practices within production facilities.
• Enhances marketability with a distinct Halal recognition logo on products.
• Improves food quality through stringent quality assurance policies aligned with international standards.
• The Halal insignia is a trustworthy and independent acknowledgment to support Halal claims.
• Boosts product acceptance and promotion in Muslim countries and markets.

Halal Certification process

To complete the Halal certification process, companies must go through a three-step procedure with an advisory group.

Halal Certification process includes

• Evaluation — explanation of the company and the need to obtain a Halal certificate
• Inspection — on-site inspection of the facility and process
• Certification — after completing the assessment and verification, if successful, the organization receives a certificate.

To learn more about obtaining Halal certification and the requirements for Halal-certified products, contact info@ves-certification.com