Halal certification has become an essential part of halal credibility for the Muslim consumer. HAB has implemented transparent and clear process for the inspection and certification of all butchers, food retailers, all types of food products, abattoirs and for other important consumer sectors.
The basis of certification of Halal by the Halal Authority Board is based entirely from the Holy Quran and Sunnah of The Beloved Prophet Muhammad Peace be upon him where Halal and Tayyib (pure) are both assessed.
HAB’s Halal Certification can benefit both the consumer and the producer:
The term ‘Halal’ is an Arabic word that literally means ‘lawful’ or ‘permissible’ In Islam. This term refers to many aspects of daily life.
The HAB Halal Standard aims to ensure uniformity in Halal regulation and certification.
Versed in religious and natural sciences requirement from deen and dunya
Butchers & Food Outlets
The Halal Authority Board (HAB) recognises that the Muslim consumer needs confidence when buying halal meat and halal food from restaurants and fast-food establishments. These are areas that can easily purchase uncertified meat and many are still not certified. Even for those outlets that are halal certified, HAB has come across too many examples where uncertified meat is being sold and does not come to the notice of halal inspectors.
HAB Is also of the view that Muslim consumers should not pay a penalty just because the meat is certified halal. Halal meat is typically 10-20% higher cost than non-halal and in some cases, a significant proportion of this is down to halal certification. Butchers, restaurants and other food outlets pay an additional premium for Halal which is then passed onto customers.
HAB Certified establishments enter into an agreement with HAB that is legally binding and enforceable. If they break the agreement, then they will be listed on our website for one year so that we can be transparent with customers as to their position. They are only allowed to purchase from Halal certified and approved suppliers and from no-one else. The suppliers are listed in the agreement, and the suppliers are sufficient in number for them to be selective of quality and price and ensure that they will not run out of stock. This then promotes quality and competitiveness ensuring fair pricing for consumers. Their purchases from approved Halal suppliers are all audited and confirmed via audits and professional accountants.
Our inspectors can visit any of HAB certified establishments unannounced, at any time, undercover, or can declare themselves and inspect all the meat on the premises. There is no compromise in our certification standards and any establishment found breaking the rules will be de-listed and mentioned as such on our website.
Food & Beverages
All ingredients are checked to source for Halal compliance.
All meat products or meat derived products must have a credible halal certificate.
All doubtful ingredients (mashbooh) are not acceptable.
HAB only accepts Gelatine with a credible halal certificate and does not accept modified gelatine as automatically halal
Cosmetics & Pharmaceuticals
This is a vast industry with products containing numerous chemicals and artificial raw materials. HAB certification ensures that each raw material is checked to be halal form from source.
Abattoirs
HAB only certifies the following types of Abattoirs:
All slaughter is by hand and by Muslim slaughtermen;
All animals must be alive at the time of slaughter;
Tasmiyyah and takbir are read upon each and every animal;
Slaughter must be performed with a sharp knife in one movement, severing the trachea, oesophagus, both jugular veins and both carotid arteries;
The animal must then be allowed to bleed out completely;
Throughout the process, pain to the animal must be minimised.
HAB does not allow machine slaughter, gas stunning or stun to kill.
Ancillaries
Various consumer products such as tooth brushes, leather items, inks, glues, packaging, and travel and tourism are generally rarely checked for halal but this is an important category for Muslim consumers.
About Halal Authority Board (HAB)
The Halal food and beverage market alone is currently estimated to be almost three trillion pounds sterling and expected to double in the next ten years. Unfortunately, the Halal sector has failed to fulfil its potential due to the lack of a uniform standard applicable to Halal production in all countries around the world. This is problematic, particularly for the 2.1 billion Muslim consumers who are becoming increasingly more conscious of their religion in a global consumer world.
HAB has produced transparent and comprehensive Halal Standards with a fully integrated Certification process. This has been developed with leading experts in Islamic law and specialists in all types of Halal production. It satisfies halal requirements for all Muslim consumers around the world, giving full assurance to them that the products are Halal, whenever they see the HAB logo.
Our audits are undertaken by highly trained Halal auditors to ensure that all inspections are independent, fair and fully transparent. Auditors receive comprehensive training in all aspects of Halal production, including the principles of Halal, legal and technical aspects and the importance and methods of cleanliness and purification.
What is Halal and Haram?
The term ‘Halal’ is an Arabic word that literally means ‘lawful’ or ‘permissible’ In Islam. This term refers to many aspects of daily life, but in relation to the production of products such as food, drink, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, it refers to the composition of the products and the environment in which they are produced.
The ingredients used must be judged to be lawful according to the principles of Islamic law and free from cross-contamination with haram.
Certain products are considered as ‘Haram’ or strictly forbidden. These include:
“Certification typically takes 3-6 weeks and prices depend upon the number of products and extent of the audit.”
The HAB Halal Standard aims to ensure uniformity in Halal regulation and certification. The Halal Standard sets out guidelines on all aspects of halal production to ensure the Halal integrity of all products, including following all health and safety regulations, hygiene, and cleaning and cleansing.
Application
Email us to request an Application form
Consultation
A discussion will take place with the client to ensure that there are no major issues for potential halal certification.
Audit
An on-site audit is arranged and performed with all documents, raw materials, production, cross-contamination, storage facilities all checked and signed off.
Decision
An internal audit report will be produced and a decision will then be made by the HAB certification team. A halal certificate will be issued if successful.
Certification
The company/organisation will be added to HAB’s database of certified Halal producers which can be searched for on our website.
Compliance
The Certification will be review annually to ensure compliance and maintenance of Halal production.
