State of India Removes Halal Standards for Food, Beverage Products
- Official MIHAS
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.Â
These certifications are not only required by many importing countries, but also help tourists visiting India in choosing products, the Islamic agency explained.Â
Ilustrasi restoran halal
- VIVA.co.id/ Lis Yuliawati
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.
Ilustrasi makanan/kuliner halal.
- Freepik/rawpixel.com
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.
