Halal certification in the UK – why get halal registration for your food products
Halal food or products mean that their consumption is permissible for Muslims. In fact, halal is an Arabic word that translates into "permissible or lawful" in English. It largely covers what Muslims are allowed do to in their lives, especially when it comes to food and drink. On the other hand, what’s prohibited in Islam is called ‘haram’.
The term halal most commonly refers to the Muslim dietary laws, especially pertaining to the consumption of meat. Muslims are only allowed to consume Halal meat that has been sourced, processed, and prepared in strict adherence to Islamic dietary laws. The Islamic jurisprudence also leaves no ambiguity when it comes to what can be consumed and cannot be consumed.
Consumption of carrion (an animal that dies of itself), pork, blood, and birds of prey is prohibited in Islam. Similarly, horses (also donkeys and mules), animals with fangs (cats, dogs, bears, lions, wolves, etc.), and other wild animals and reptiles such as monkeys, snakes, scorpions, lizards, etc., are also haram.
Islam also prohibits the use of other products made from any haram animals (such as makeup). Ingredients that have been contaminated by or derived from non-halal animal products are also not allowed. When it comes to drinks, the Quran also reproaches the consumption of alcohol (intoxicants) on several occasions.
Almost all other animals than the ones mentioned above are safe and halal for the consumption of Muslims, provided that the sourcing, processing, and preparation follow the Muslim dietary principles.
Halal certification helps Muslims around the world easily find the right food and consume it with confidence. The halal stamp or label on food items and products is the guarantee that their consumption is permissible under Islamic law. It’s this ease that has driven all small and large food businesses to obtain halal certifications.
Today, all mainstream manufacturers of food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals have halal certifications to facilitate their Muslim customers worldwide. Even hotels, restaurants, airlines, and hospitals in the UK and elsewhere in the world go for halal certifications for better business and greater customer trust.
Although Islam itself doesn’t mandate businesses to obtain halal certification, it’s prudent on the business’s part to get one as it helps in seamless sales and steady business growth. Against some recurrent annual fee, halal certification bodies in the UK pay regular visits to the food processing or manufacturing units to ensure that all Muslim dietary guidelines are met by the business.
There are a number of halal certification bodies in the UK that rigorously audit the food processing practices – such as slaughterers, cutting, processing, distribution, etc., -- as well as the personnel involved on a regular basis. All halal food registrations in the UK require annual renewal audits to make sure the right practices are followed by the businesses without fail.
In a typical halal food registration process in the UK, the food business will require a formal application that will be followed by routine document reviews and business audits. Subsequently, evaluations from the halal certification body take place providing the applicant with necessary recommendations to make improvements, if needed, to fully meet the halal registration criteria.
Once the UK halal certification issuer is convinced that your business follows all halal practices and has the right systems in place, you will be issued the halal certification for the food product you applied for. These certifications come with an annual retainer fee as all issuers of halal certification in the UK require yearly certificate renewals and aggressive regular audits.
But these certifications also help you to always keep track of the right processing and manufacturing practices and thus retain customer trust. In the long run, halal certifications help your business grow and build a better rapport with customers besides making it easier for you to do business internationally.
