Halal Certification

What is Halal Certification?

Halal Certification is becoming mainstream in the food industry. As the worldwide Muslim population has crossed 1.6 billion, the demand for producing and packaging foods processed according to Islamic dietary laws using chicken, mutton, beef, and other ingredients is growing day & night.

Halal Certification is a third-party verification that products, processes, or systems in the supply chain meet accepted Halal Standards. Halal Certification provides a “Systematic Approach” that ensures the products’ features and quality according to the rules established by the Islamic Council that allow the mark Halal.

‘Halal Certified’ refers to products that have been endorsed as Halal by a credible Islamic body (Third-party certification).

Frequently, Halal Certification involves a series of steps, including ingredient verification, inspection/audit, and approval by a committee. Cosmetics and pharmaceuticals are also Halal Certified. Frequently, these products contain animal by-products.

• Alcohol is present in perfumes.
• Pig-fat is present in lipsticks and lip balms.
• Makeup products actively contain the by-Products of animals like cows, goats, pigs, chickens, turkeys, etc.

According to a report by Grand View Research, the global Halal cosmetics market was valued at a 16.32billion USD in 2015, and it’s expected to reach 52.02 billion USD by 2025.

The Demand for Halal Certification

The demand for this Certification is not only coming from Muslim communities but non-Muslims as well. Because of its rigorous production standards, non-Muslim consumers are beginning to see food products as healthy and animal-friendly.

3 Pillars of the Halal Food Management System

1). Management System:

A Management System is the framework of an organization’s policies, processes, and procedures to ensure that it can fulfill all the tasks required to achieve its objectives.

2). GMPs:

Good Management Practices (GMPs) ensure that products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards. It is designed to minimize the risks involved in any organization that cannot eliminate through testing the final product.

3). Source Traceability:

Traceability is the capability to trace something in some cases. It is interpreted as verifying an item’s history, location, or application using documented recorded identification.

Halal Quality Infrastructure in Pakistan regarding standards

Halal Certification Bodies Accreditation Scheme

PS:5241-2013 General Requirements for the Accreditation Body Accrediting Halal Certification Bodies.

Halal Certification Bodies

PS:4992-2016 Conformity Assessment Requirements for bodies providing Halal Certification (R)

Any Organization in the Food Chain

PS:3733-2019 Halal Management Systems: Requirements for any organization in the food chain (R)

 Overview of Pakistan Halal Standard

These are the following Halal Standards in Pakistan are as follows

1) Scope.

2) Normative References.

3) Terms & Definitions.

4) General Requirements.

• Sources of Halal Foods and Drinks.
• Requirements of Slaughtering.
• Meat and Meat by Products.
• Milk and Dairy Products.
• Eggs and Eggs Products.
• Cereals.
• Honey, and it’s by Products.
• Dietary Supplements.
• Enzymes.
• Packaging Material.
• Food Service and Facilities.

5) Food Processing.

6) Machinery, Utensils, and Production Lines.

7) Storage, Display and service lines.

8) Hygiene, Sanitation, and Food Safety.

9) Documentation Requirements.

• Human Resource.
• Halal Control Points.
• Emergency Preparedness and response.
• Internal Audit.
• Management Review.

10) Validation and Verification.

11) Identification and Traceability.

12) Presentation for the Market.

13) Packaging and Labeling.

Economics of Halal Certification

The Halal food market now makes up about 19% of the global food market, from food to health care and everything in between. It is becoming a lifestyle choice in many nations.

The Global Halal industry is estimated to be worth around USD 2.3 trillion (and growing quickly).

Facts of Halal Certification

• 90% of Raw materials related to foods are imported.
• Sometimes the meat is also imported. In Pakistan, 60% population is considered illiterate and does not understand the label.
• Mostly, the items are imported from the foods and other related things like cosmetics, leather, pharmaceuticals, etc.
• Gelatin is mainly used in imported items that are declared Pig/Fat. However, it is a protein that is obtained by the process.

What are the benefits of the TUV Austria BIC.? Halal Certification Schemes?

TUV Austria Bureau of Inspection & Certifications’ can open new marketing avenues never before accessed. The need to have confidence in compliance with Islamic dietary laws is critical; therefore, the Certification and TUV Austria’s logo make it an essential and credible combination.

• Halal Certification assures Muslim customers that Islamic Law serves the food. This food certification ensures that the restaurant is hygienic and sanitary.
• Its process follows stringent food safety rules making it popular amongst non-Muslim customers.
• It fulfills regulatory requirements for food exports.
• It significantly enhances the marketability of your products.
• Better management control.
• Reduced rework and operational expenses.
• Improved product quality.
• Increased marketability.
• Enhanced customer satisfaction.
• Improved customer service.
• Entry into new export markets.
• Build professional credibility.

What is the Process of Halal Certification?

All consumables should be prepared, processed, packed, transported, and stored by Islamic principles. According to Islamic dietary standards, food must not contain forbidden substances and ingredients such as pork meat, blood, alcohol, and other intoxicants.

According to Islamic law, experienced food auditors conduct food audits from the TUV Austria Bureau of Inspection & Certification, ensuring all food safety and hygiene protocols are followed.

1). Application

The business wishing to obtain Halal Certification must apply to one of the certification bodies. The industry needs to be aware of Halal Certification requirements at this stage and ensure that it complies with Halal requirements, systems requirements, and staffing requirements.

2). Audit

Once the application information is verified, Auditors will visit the business for inspection. The Auditors will confirm if the following areas are acceptable for Halal Certification.

• Documentation.
• Processing, Handling, and product distribution.
• Storage, display, and product serving.
• Cleanliness, Sanitary, and food safety.
• The overall aspects of the premises.
• Tools, Apparatus, and machines.
• Packaging and labeling.

3). Certification

Once the Halal audit is complete, a Technical Committee will review the documents and the audit report submitted by the Auditors. If the audit report is satisfactory and the business or products satisfy the Halal certification criteria, Then the Halal Certification body issues the Halal Certificate.

Issues with Halal Certification

• Increased costs for Certification and maintaining processes deemed necessary to keep the standards.
• Another challenge faced by companies and countries in the Halal industry is the lack of standardization in the Halal certification process.
• Halal Certification from one country may not be recognized in another.

 Why Choose Us for Halal Certification?

Halal Certification, which TUV follows, has been developed in Pakistan to ensure full compliance to Islamic dietary laws, i.e., PS 3733:2016. It covers the issues related to Slaughtering / Zabiha and considers the issues related to ingredients & GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices). TUV Austria BIC. is the go-to brand name in the Pakistan food industry regarding food safety standards and accreditations.

Because of its work ethic, industry experience, and highly trained and experienced team of food experts, the food certification from TUV Austria BIC. is the most sought-after in Pakistan.

In Addition, to the Halal Certification Audit, TUV Austria BIC.  also offers a range of complimentary services:

• ISO Certifications
• ISO 9001 – Quality Management System
• ISO 14001 – Environmental Management System
• ISO 45001 – Occupational Health & Safety Management System
• ISO 50001 – Energy Management System
• ISO 27001 – Information Security Management System
• ISO 20000 – IT Service Management System
• ISO 22000 – Food Safety Management System
• FSSC 22000 – Food Safety System Certification
• HACCP – Food Safety Management System
• ISO 21001 – Educational Organizations Management System
• ISO 29990 – Learning Services Management System
• ISO 20121 – Sustainability Event Management System
• ISO 22301 – Business Continuity Management System
• ISO 37001 – Anti-Bribery Management System
• ISO 28000 – Supply Chain Security Management System
• ISO 13485 – Quality Management Systems for Medical Devices
• ISO 39001 – Road Traffic Safety Management System
• ISO 31000 – Risk Management – Guidelines
• ISO 22716 – Good Manufacturing Practices for Cosmetics
• ISO 3834 – Quality Requirements for Fusion Welding of Metallic Materials
• “Covid-Shield” Certification
• GlobalG.A.P. Certification
• IFS Certification Services

FAQ’s

What is Halal food?

It is an Arabic word meaning “permitted” or “allowed.” In terms of food, it is the dietary standard of Muslims. All pure and clean things are considered halal except for

• Animals are not slaughtered according to the Islamic way or dead before slaughtering.
• Animals were killed in the name of anyone other than ALLAH.
• Pork and any food by-products.
• Alcohol and intoxicants, and any food by-products.
• Carnivorous animals.
• Blood and blood by-products.
•  Foods contaminated with any of the above.

Why is Halal Certification needed?

It is necessary to produce food appropriate for Muslim and non-Muslim customers who prefer kosher food. It is also a standard requirement for exporting food to many Muslim countries.

Is our HACCP and Halal Certification the same thing?

HACCP is an international standard for producing safe food. The halal food certification has specific procedures that must follow to ensure the food is as per Islamic Law. HACCP does not make food Halal. Both are independent food safety and hygiene systems.

 How long does it take to implement the Halal Food Standard?

It depends on a large number of factors. Still, generally, smaller organizations may need 3 to 6 months, organizations with up to 500 people will need 8 to 12 months, and larger organizations 12 months or more.

Would you mind sending an Enquiry so we can assist you in getting certified?

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