Central Idea

On November 18, the Uttar Pradesh government imposed a state-wide ban on the “production, storing, distribution, and sale of halal certified edible items.”

Understanding Halal and Halal Food

Definition of Halal: ‘Halal’ is an Arabic term meaning ‘permissible’ in English.
FAO Guidelines on Halal Food: The Food and Agriculture Organization defines halal food as compliant with Islamic Law, including specific slaughter methods.
Vegetarian Food and Halal: Generally, vegetarian food is deemed halal unless it contains prohibited substances like alcohol.
Labeling of Halal Products: Products claimed as halal must visibly display this on their labels.

Purpose of Certification: Halal certification ensures food preparation adheres to Islamic law and is free from contamination.
Certification Bodies in India: Various private companies in India, like Halal India Pvt Ltd and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust, offer halal certification. Some are government-recognized, while others are not.

Legality: The debate centers on the legality of certificate-issuing authorities and allegations of targeting specific religious communities.
Parallel Authority issue: The Indian government does not require halal certification; FSSAI certification is the standard for edible products.
International Trade and Halal Certification: As per the USDA 2022 report, halal certification is not essential for export or import trade permissions.
Religious violations: A case was filed against entities in Lucknow for purportedly exploiting religious sentiments to enhance sales through halal certification.

Complaints against Certification: Complaints have emerged against companies for allegedly issuing forged halal certificates for financial benefits.
Accusations of Illegal Certification: These companies are accused of lacking official recognition to issue halal certificates.

Certifying Agencies: Various agencies provide halal certification to Indian companies, products, or food establishments.
Government Accreditation: The National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies under the Quality Council of India accredits these Halal Certification Bodies.
Advantages of Certification: Certification from recognized bodies benefits companies in both domestic and international markets.
DGFT Guidelines: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade mandates that only facilities with valid certification from accredited bodies can export ‘halal certified’ meat and meat products.
Government’s i-CAS Scheme: The ‘India Conformity Assessment Scheme’ was developed to regulate the halal certification process.

Quality confusions: The ban aims to address confusion over food quality standards and align with the Food Safety and Standards Act.
Curbing forged certification: Companies issuing forged certificates are accused of fostering social unrest and betraying public trust.
Economic Impact: There are apprehensions about a potential conspiracy to undermine the sales of non-halal certified products.
Financial Misuse: There are allegations that profits from these activities could be funneled towards supporting terrorist organizations and anti-national activities.

This ban reflects the complex interplay between food safety regulations, religious practices, and commercial dynamics.
It highlights the need for a balanced approach in addressing such multifaceted issues.