Halal Certification: Pure and Wholesome

Halal certification

There is no global Halal standard; each country has local councils. If you want your product to be Halal-certified, the first step is to identify the certification body most relevant to your target Halal consumers.

If your product is vegan and alcohol-free, it is best to have a clear label on your packaging.

The Chicago Tribune observed that Muslims' 'Halal' awareness is rising from farm to table, reporting: 'Some Muslims need to ensure not only that food is Halal, but also that it is organic, free-range and Tayyib (meaning wholesome).

They care about how animals are raised just as much as how they are slaughtered. Their concern is part of consumers' growing demand for humane and organic food.

In fact, a Dutch company called Innova announced the top ten food trends of 2012, including values such as purity, authenticity, sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

These values reflect a significant overlap with Halal values, indicating the concepts of health, wholesomeness and purity.

Pure and wholesome

For businesses—especially those in developed markets—who want to attract Muslim consumers, they have the opportunity to leverage the growing intersection between the organic/humane market and the Halal market.

In the United States, all meat is Halal and organic. It sells burgers based on tradition and health, first attracting Muslim consumers with these values, and emphasizing their value with Halal status.

Non-Muslim consumers also say that Halal and kosher foods are preferred because they are made with care and cleanliness.

In China's Ningxia region, which has a large Muslim population, a Halal integrity management solution is about to be implemented. This will provide us with a linked solution to monitor Halal status from farm to table.

A Halal body said: 'Our target is not only Muslims, but also non-Muslims. Some Chinese tell me they prefer Halal food to ease concerns about food safety issues, because Halal in Chinese means pure and wholesome.'

The lesson learned from all this is that the appeal of Halal to Muslim consumers (and even others) is open to all enterprises and brands.

A simple and profitable first step is to reach Muslim consumers by ensuring that products meet Halal standards and ensuring that Muslim consumers know this.