Halal Certification ensures that a company’s products follow specific rules of Sharia, the Islamic Law system based on the Quran and Hadiths. Certification agencies investigate organizations to determine whether their ingredients, suppliers, and factories comply with these rules.
The word “Halal” comes from the Arabic “حلال” (ḥalāl), which means “lawful” or “permitted” in Portuguese. It is found in the Quran in contrast to the word “Haram” (“حرام”), which means “forbidden.”
In the case of food, the holy book of Islam dictates that ingredients derived from humans, pigs, and insects (except locusts) should not be consumed, as well as animals not slaughtered according to Islamic rites. The complete list is longer, and you can check it further in this article.
You will also read about the importance of this certificate, the criteria to obtain it, and where it can be obtained. Shall we?
Importance of Halal Certification
The Halal Certificate has existed for decades, with records dating back to the 1950s in South Africa. It became more prevalent in the 1980s when the international trade of processed foods grew significantly, with foods produced in the USA, Brazil, Europe, and China being distributed worldwide.
As many of these products contained animal derivatives, customers from Islamic countries began to demand that their food, beverages, and cosmetics adhere to Sharia rules. From then on, Halal Certification bodies were established in all these countries, especially those with large Muslim communities.
The process was expedited due to the precedent set by practitioners of Judaism, who created Kosher Certification for products that met Torah rules. Based on Kosher Certificate programs, Islamic organizations in countries like the United States, China, and Brazil began to create their own Halal Certificates.
Benefits of Halal Certification for companies
Projections by the Pew Research Center estimate that the number of Islam practitioners worldwide will reach 2.2 billion by 2030, making up 26.4% of the global population. A report by DinarStandard in collaboration with Salaam Gateway points out that the Halal food and beverage market moved $1.4 trillion in 2024, a number expected to rise to $1.89 trillion in 2027.
This is a profitable and growing market, but the benefits don’t stop there:
- Greater credibility and transparency. The Halal Certification process is quite strict, with companies having to meet a series of criteria to be approved. Seeing the Halal logo on a product makes customers more willing to trust your brand and buy from you.
- Better branding and reputation. The Halal Certificate is a way to strengthen your brand in front of Muslim customers, differentiating yourself from your competitors. By going through this certification, you create ties with an entire community, giving a reason to build a loyal relationship with your brand.
- Safety and quality. By complying with the certification guidelines and standards, you work to improve the quality and safety of your products. Meanwhile, you reduce the risk of recalls or other situations that could harm your reputation.
- Finally, organizations that work with Halal certifications have the opportunity to simplify and direct their supply chains. This reduces the risk of cross-contamination and leads to greater financial savings and operational efficiency.
Benefits of Halal Certification for customers
In addition to bringing advantages to companies that manufacture the products, the Halal Certificate also comes with benefits for the health, well-being, and conscience of customers:
- Product safety. One of the main concerns of regulatory agencies worldwide is product safety, especially food safety. Halal Certification offers an additional layer of protection, especially for Muslims, who will know they are buying contaminant-free food.
- Product quality. Halal Certification bodies tend to have strict requirements for the manufacture, handling, and labeling of products. To maintain certification, these foods, beverages, and pharmaceuticals need to undergo regular audits and inspections.
- Wide choice of products. Customers have a wide variety of certified products to choose from, including food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and more.
- Clear conscience. Finally, the certificate ensures that your customers have a clear conscience when consuming your products. After all, they will know that your organization’s practices are aligned with their religious convictions.
Criteria for obtaining Halal Certification
The first criterion to ensure your product is Halal is to ensure it is not Haram, or “forbidden.” Therefore, if it fits into any of the following criteria, it will not be certified:
- Foods contaminated with any of the following products or with impurities from processing, such as manure, urine, rodent excrement, infectious fluids, or pus;
- Carnivorous animals, birds of prey, scavengers, and animals improperly slaughtered, sick, or dying before slaughter;
- Alcoholic beverages, intoxicants, or narcotic drugs;
- Fruits of idolatry – animals or birds sacrificed for voodoo, witchcraft, or religious practices contrary to Islam;
- Ingredients derived from animals slaughtered outside the Halal method;
- Blood and blood by-products (considered the body’s circulatory cleaning fluid and should not be consumed);
- Pigs and all pig by-products or derivatives.
If the product does not have any of the above characteristics, it can proceed to the Halal certification process. The certifying agency will base its evaluation on four fundamental principles:
- Sanitation;
- Traceability;
- Integrity;
- Composition
To be approved in the audit, a manufacturing, processing, or sales environment must meet the four criteria above. Let’s talk a little more about each of them below:
1. Sanitation
Tools and equipment must be used exclusively for Halal products and cannot be shared with the production of Haram products. All traces of smell, color, and taste must be removed from the apparatus before they are used for certified products.
These measures must be documented through a standard sanitation operating procedure. Ultimately, this principle should ensure that there is no cross-contamination.
2. Traceability
The audited company needs to have a system that tracks the product throughout the facility. The use of color-coded labels or computerized software is required to support and enhance this effort.
The raw materials and ingredients of the product must be purchased from companies that have a Halal certificate or at least a Halal compliance statement. These suppliers must disclose all relevant information about their ingredients and manufacturing practices to the certifying body.
3. Integrity
The facility must be capable of producing a clean product, which is aided by demonstrating compliance with standards and norms such as GMP, HACCP, ISO, and SQF. However, it is not required for a company to meet all these standards to receive Halal certification.
It is also essential that there are Halal Risk Management Areas (HARM) on-site and that they are properly signposted.
4. Composition
The first question an auditor will ask about this principle is: “Does this facility use any prohibited ingredients?” The manager of the audited company must then prove that their area does not use any of the Haram products and ingredients mentioned above.
Additionally, it will be checked whether the suppliers of this organization also do not use any of the prohibited ingredients. If the supplier meets the Halal requirements and the audited company is in compliance, it will receive the certificate.
Where to obtain Halal Certification
To obtain Halal certification, you need to look for certifying agencies that operate in your country and are accredited by international organizations. After ensuring that your products and processes comply with Halal standards, you should contact the chosen certifying body.
Below, we will list some examples of the most well-known agencies in some countries:
United States
These are some of the most credible agencies in North America:
- American Halal Foundation (AHF). Based in Illinois, AHF is a Halal certification body recognized worldwide.
- Halal Food Standards Alliance of America (HFSAA). Operates in the Food and Beverage and Chemical Products industries, with a special focus on protecting customers against incorrect labeling.
- Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA). A certifying agency dedicated to promoting public education and providing more robust support to institutions.
Brazil
If your company wants to market Halal products in the largest country in Latin America, with a population of about 1.5 million Muslims, it is worth keeping an eye on the following organizations:
- Fambras Halal. The oldest and most traditional Halal certifying body in Brazil, with over 40 years of experience.
- CDIAL Halal. A global reference in Halal certificates, focusing on the quality and agility of the certification process.
Spain
If your company distributes products in Europe, we recommend checking out these Spanish agencies:
- Instituto Halal. Based in Córdoba, the organization also has offices in Portugal and Mexico, making it a great gateway to the Iberian and Latin American markets.
- El Moreno Sociedad Cooperativa. A great option for those seeking closer ties with Middle Eastern markets. After all, this agency is a partner of Halal Consulting, the only firm recognized in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar that also operates in Spain.
France
If your focus is on the French market, consider these certifying bodies:
- Association Rituelle de la Grande Mosquée de Lyon (ARGML). Associated with the Grand Mosque of Lyon, this body works with meat, restaurants, cosmetics, and chemical products.
- Association Halal Verif. Based in Paris, this agency is known for its rigorous certification process.
Conclusion
Halal Certification is much more than a simple compliance seal: it is a bridge between companies and a global community of customers who value practices aligned with Sharia. For organizations, obtaining this certification means entering a constantly expanding market, gaining consumer trust, and demonstrating product quality and safety. For customers, it is the assurance that their values and beliefs are being respected.
By following the strict criteria required by certifying agencies and adapting processes, ingredients, and suppliers, companies can strategically position themselves in a highly profitable and potential-filled sector. Whether in the United States, Europe, or anywhere else, Halal Certification opens doors to local and global opportunities, promoting the connection between cultures and markets.
If your organization is ready to take this step, it is worth seeking accredited certifiers, reviewing processes, and taking advantage of the benefits that this certification can bring. After all, meeting the expectations of your Muslim customers is not just a market issue — it is also a commitment to diversity, respect, and excellence.
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