The HALAL Food Industry Chain
HALAL applicability in the food industry includes not only the manufacturing and slaughter processes under Halal regulations. The main issues related to HALAL integrity in food transportation and logistics include the contamination of HALAL products with non-Halal products. The HALAL food certification process affects the value chain of most of the food and beverage industry. This is especially important because 91% of the meat and live animals imported into OIC countries come from non-OIC countries. With recent overall HALAL issues in China, pig DNA found in HALAL burgers at UK schools, the horsemeat scandal and so on, full traceability of the HALAL industry chain is increasingly becoming an issue.
Certifying and verifying HALAL products requires a 'farm to fork' assessment guided by the core principles of HALAL certification standards.
In the HALAL industry chain diagram below, you will find the process of preparing, handling and evaluating products. It shows how HALAL products go from farm to consumer.
What Is the HALAL Food Certification Process?
The HALAL certification process includes the following steps:
Step 1
Slaughterhouses and manufacturers seek HALAL certification.
Step 2
The certification body collects product samples from slaughterhouses and processing plants.
Step 3
The samples are submitted to an accredited testing laboratory.
Step 4
The testing laboratory submits the HALAL report to the certification body.
Step 5
The certification body verifies the report and investigates other aspects of production (i.e. farm conditions, slaughterhouse tools, methods and staff, hygiene on the premises, etc.)
Step 6
If all requirements and conditions are met, the HALAL certificate is issued.
Step 7
The certification body continuously supervises slaughterhouses and processing plants to ensure they always adhere to HALAL procedures throughout their operations.