For Muslims to consume meat items, these need to be halal certified. By this it is meant that the concerned food processing unit or slaughterhouse follows the norms and practices that are established by the Muslim law. If any food brand or product is halal certified they come with a stamp or a seal, which shows that they have undergone independent inspection. Several organizations across the world offer diverse certification services and when it comes to halal certification certain core laws need to be followed.
Varying definitions of halal
Though nowadays many food product brands offer the stamp or seal of being halal certified, not every certifying body follows the same norms or definition of halal. As a result, for certain Muslim communities it might not be enough to know that a product is halal certified, but to know the exact definitions by which halal certification has been done. The Muslim law guides Islamic investment as well in many countries. Get to know more about how you can start a business by funding over here.
How certification is done?
The halal certification process can vary between different certifying bodies as in Islamic investment in Australia. There is a physical inspection done by the facility. The items of production are examined as well as the ingredients used to ensure that they are in accordance of the Islamic laws. The ingredients need to be separate from non halal products and handled in a certain way. These items should not include any forbidden ingredient as per Islamic law.
Process of certification
There is no single body that lays down the rules for halal certification. Hence, the method of certification can vary. Some companies check whether the ingredients used which are processed or imported are also halal certified. That will ensure that no ingredient in any food item can contain any of the forbidden ingredients. For companies that use imported components or ingredients in their manufacturing process the certifying organizations wait to ensure that these items are also following the halal method of processing or manufacturing. The process of certification involves inspection of the processes and premises and this is repeated at regular periods of time.
Certification tests
In certain cases, in order to get a food item or consumable item as halal certified, chemical or lab analysis is required. When items are being imported for production, these might be sent for testing at independent labs. If any forbidden ingredient is found in them, then they are certified to be halal or else haram and hence, forbidden by Islamic law. The certifying processes followed by the different organizations differ in different countries. Again, many countries where the ratio of Muslims is not high, the need to have halal certified products might not exist and people have to use their own beliefs and knowledge before they decide to purchase and use a product.