Halal Certification

Halal Certification in UK

Have you ever asked yourself the question, “What is Halal Certification?” Most Muslims will know that it is related to the slaughter of an animal for food, but what exactly is it? How has Halal Certification evolved over the years and why was Halal Certification set up in the first place? Continue reading this blog to answer the question, what is Halal Certification?

Defining Halal

The Arabic word ‘Halal’ means anything that is permissible to use or do, according to Islamic law. It can be applied to food and drink, cosmetics, and clothing. Therefore, if a product is Halal, it doesn’t contain any component that is haram (forbidden) under Islamic law. In English, we have the same structure of words to express this concept, but the word ‘Halal’ is more commonly used by Muslims.

What is Halal Certification?

The answer to this question can be found by taking a look back in time. The rules for meat consumption were established many years ago in Islamic Law. The basic principle of Halal certification is that animals should be slaughtered through a cut to the throat, windpipe, and the blood vessels in the neck. This method of halal certification ensures that as much blood as possible leaves the body. Thus, the majority of the impure elements within the animal’s blood will also leave its body. It also means that much meat is rendered and it makes the meat easier to eat and digest. Halal certification simply means that the product has been produced by following the guidelines of Shariah (Islamic) law.

The History of Halal Certification

Halal Slaughter was first carried out by the Islamic Prophet Muhammad in the 7th Century. Shortly after this, the Muslim empire conquered Spain and North Africa in 647 AD, and they brought Halal slaughter to Europe with them. The majority of meat found in supermarkets today is Halal certified; you just need to check the fine print on the packaging for the halal certification label or ask your sales representative.

Importance of Halal Certification

The reason for Halal certification is to make sure that the consumer knows the food they are purchasing is safe to eat. It’s an unfortunate fact of life, but not all meat sold in supermarkets comes from animals reared and slaughtered in ethical conditions. As a result, there have been outbreaks of disease or contamination in the past, including mad cow disease and bird flu. For this reason, consumers need to be assured that the food they are buying is safe for their consumption, which is assured by halal certification.

Halal Certification UK

In order to make sure Halal slaughtered meat is used across all branches of a company or business, it needs to be Halal certified. For example, if a catering company is supplying food to schools or other organizations, it needs to make sure that the supplier of its meat has been authorized by the local council as Halal. It would also need to ensure that all its own staff is appropriately trained in the correct methods of slaughter and any other aspects covered by Islamic law.

What is Halal Certification Requirement?

As you can see, Halal certification requirements are very precise and it’s important that all meat products comply with specifications. There should be no deviation from the guidelines set out by Islamic Law. Halal certification is usually carried out by an official body responsible for overseeing food, such as the Food Standards Agency, local councils, or certification bodies.

Which Organizations are Eligible for Halal Certification?

The answer to this question is that most meat products are required to be Halal certified. Certain products, such as pork, alcohol, and animals that eat dead animals/corpses are unlawful (haram) in Islam. Therefore, these products do not fall under the halal certification category. The following are popular organizations that require halal certification:

  • Processors of Meat
  • Companies that make baked goods
  • Manufacturers of Confectionary
  • Farms that raise livestock
  • Dairy Producers
  • Companies that deal with seafood

These animal products must be slaughtered in a halal manner. Additionally, food manufacturing companies must ensure that there are no haram additives, such as lard and gelatin in their food products to receive halal certification.

Benefits of Halal Certification

The benefits of Halal certification include:

  • Consumers receive a guarantee that the food they buy has been produced and processed in line with Islamic guidelines. This makes them feel safe and comfortable about the food choices they make.
  • Halal Certification is an ethical alternative to meat processing, as it ensures that animals are treated well and slaughtered humanely.
  • It helps the UK economy because it encourages increased activity in the food processing industry and caters to a Muslim population of approximately 2.2 billion worldwide.
  • Halal certification ensures that only the best quality produce is used to manufacture Halal products, increasing their appeal and marketability both here and abroad.
  • Food businesses can become more competitive because they need not worry about legislative compliance after achieving Halal certification.

So now we have the answer to the question, what is halal certification? Halal certification is simply a system of inspection that confirms an animal’s slaughter has been done in accordance with Islamic ritual slaughtering.

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