Table of Contents
Context: Uttar Pradesh Government’s Food Security and Drug Administration banned the “manufacture, sale, storage and distribution of halal-certified products with immediate effect.
We’re now on WhatsApp. Click to Join
About term Halal
- Halal (Arabic term) means ‘permissible’, as opposed to notions of haram (prohibited) in Islam.
- A halal certificate means the product is fit to be consumed by followers of the faith.
- Relevant for meat items and essential while exporting meat to Muslim countries.
Reason for Halal Certificate Ban in U.P.
- Allegations of Forgery: The government initiated action against halal certifying organizations based on allegations of issuing forged certificates.
- Misrepresentation: The complaint suggested that these organizations were using forged certificates to mislead consumers and boost sales among a specific community.
- Social Harmony: The issue raised concerns about the trustworthiness of these certificates and the potential for creating social animosity.
Issuance of Halal Certificates
- Certification Bodies: Halal certificates in India are issued by two main bodies, the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind’s Halal Unit (meat products) and the Halal Shariat Islamic Law Board (food products).
- Accreditation: Both bodies are accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB), ensuring adherence to international standards.
- Compliance with Regulations: These agencies comply with the regulations set by the Indian government, including registration with NABCB and adherence to GST and income tax laws.
- Collaboration for Global Promotion: The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust works with APEDA and Indian embassies to promote Indian Halal certified products globally.
- Financial Transparency: All transactions, GST and income tax payments, and auditing are conducted with full financial transparency.
Other Facts about the Halal Certificate Ban in U.P.
- The halal certification ban in Uttar Pradesh does not apply to export products.
- Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind’s Halal Unit continues to issue halal certificates for export products.
- Only issue halal certificates for non-vegetarian products
- Some vegetarian food items meant for export carry halal certificates.
- Occasionally, surplus packages from these exports are sold domestically.