State of India Removes Halal Standards for Food, Beverage Products

New Delhi – Leading Islamic organizations highlighted export risks for Indian companies if halal standards are not maintained, following the banning of halal products by the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

"Global demand for halal certified products is huge and it's important for Indian companies to obtain certification, in order to export goods to Muslim countries," the Halal Trust of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind organization said in a statement. 

These certifications are not only required by many importing countries, but also help tourists visiting India in choosing products, the Islamic agency explained. 

The organization also said that propaganda against halal certification could directly damage national interests as India benefits from halal exports and tourism in its relations with members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and regions like Southeast Asia.

As information, halal certification means that a product has been manufactured in accordance with Islamic teachings, which define what can be consumed and set strict hygienic and ethical standards in its manufacture.

For example, halal-certified products must be free from traces of pork and alcohol.

India's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, ruled by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, on Saturday, November 18, 2023, banned the production, storage, distribution and sale of halal-certified products with immediate effect.

However, the ban does not include products intended for export.

The ban follows a complaint from a local resident to the police, who said that halal certification was being used unfairly and misleadingly by some companies to boost their sales.

In fact, Indian food and consumer product companies seek halal certification to sell to Muslim countries. This complaint could undermine confidence in Indian products.

"This is a strange decision. It shows that halal standards in India can be different for domestic and export markets," said Mufti Habib Yusuf Patel, president of the Mumbai-based Halal Council of India.

"Propaganda against halal is driven by politics and communal thinking. This will erode trust in Indian companies that use halal labels to export cosmetics, meat, poultry and food," he said, as quoted by The Sundaily, Monday, November 20, 2023.

He also revealed that a large number of companies that approach his organization are owned by non-Muslims and they seek advice on Shariah standards because they want to attract Muslim customers.

"We advise them on what is halal and what is prohibited and how they can make their products suitable for Muslim consumers by following certain rules. This helps them in growing their business," Habib said.

About 20 percent of Uttar Pradesh's 240 million people are Muslims, while India's Muslim population exceeds 200 million.

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind said that the allegations against halal certification are baseless and an attempt to spread misinformation.

Some people commenting on social media pointed out that India is a major exporter of buffalo meat produced in halal-certified factories.

The chairman of the Halal Council said that consumers should be free to decide whether they want to buy halal-labeled products or not.

"People should be free to choose their products. For example, some bread companies label their products as egg-free because some people in India do not eat eggs. Similarly, companies label their products as suitable for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian consumers," Habib said.

"India should look to Malaysia, where the halal trade is booming due to high certification standards," he concluded.