Halal is a term from Quran that means “permitted” or “lawful”. Therefore, in relation to food, Halal is used for food and other consumables that are permissible for consumption and used by Muslims, based on the Islamic law, the Shariah. Halal promotes cleanliness in all aspects of a person and halal foods ensure that food consumed by a person in their daily lives are clean, hygienic and not detrimental to their health or well-being. Having a halal certification ensures that the food product is deemed safe for consumption and with rising awareness about Halal foods, more and more businesses are seeking Halal Certification for their products, premises, restaurants, etc., In this article, we look at the procedure for obtaining Halal Certification in India..

Halal Certification is provided by Halal Certification Bodies in India. There are various Halal Bodies and a few of the Halal Bodies in India are listed below:

• 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

Businesses wishing to obtain Halal certification in India can approach any of the above Certification Bodies for obtaining Halal certification. While providing Halal certification, a competent authority audits and ensures that the business:

• Neither is nor consists of or contains any part or matter of an animal that a Muslim is prohibited by Shariah to consume or that has not been slaughtered in accordance with Shariah.
• Does not contain anything which is considered to be impure according to Shariah.
• Has not been prepared, processed or manufactured using instrument that was not free from anything impure according to Shariah; and

Has not in the course of preparation, processing or storage been in contact with or close proximity to any food that fails to satisfy paragraph (a) (b) or (c) or anything that is considered to be impure according to Hukum Shariah