15 Major Questions about Halal Certification & their Concise Answers

What is Halal?

Halal means permissible. The opposite of halal is haram which means prohibited. The term halal is most commonly used in the context of consumable items. In this context, halal is the set of dietary guidelines that permit foods in accordance with Islamic principles. 

The simple heuristic to use when seeking to identify if something is halal is “Everything is Halal Except ABCD IS Haram.” 

A: Alcohol and intoxicants 

B: Blood 

C: Carnivorous animals 

D: Dead meat (refers to animals and animal derivatives) 

I: Immolated foods

S: Swine and its derivatives

To learn more about what is halal in-depth, visit: What is Halal? What Halal Means

Why is Halal Important?

Adhering to halal food is core to the identity of a Muslim. The Quran explicitly states. 

‘O people, eat halal (permissible) good things out of what lies in the earth“ *

Furthermore, it has been narrated from the Prophet ﷺ to the effect that the body that consumes haram will not enter paradise. 

Thus, for 2 billion halal consumers in the world, halal is the set of dietary principles that are essential to their identity.

Does Halal Certification Only Apply to Meat and Poultry?

No, halal certification applies to all consumables. From pharmaceuticals to lipstick, halal certification is important to deliver assurance to concerned consumers that the product that they are consuming is suitable for them to consume.

How Will Halal Certification Benefit My Business?

Halal certification benefits companies allowing them to tap into the $1.5 Trillion halal market supported by 2 billion halal consumers. Furthermore, it signals the quality and safety of the product to all consumers worldwide. 

To learn more about how halal certification will benefit your company, read these two resources:

1. https://halalfoundation.org/3-major-benefits-of-halal-certification/
2. https://halalfoundation.org/the-roi-and-costs-of-halal-certification/

What is the process for obtaining halal certification?

There are 3 major steps in the AHF halal certification process: 

1. Initial Application
   1. This is where the product is qualified. Upon qualification, a halal agreement is instated, and an account executive is assigned. 
2. Auditing
   1. Documentation Audit
      1. This is where each raw material is evaluated for halal compliance, and the facility programs and protocols are reviewed and eventually integrated into the halal program
   2. Facility Audit
      1. A qualified auditor inspects the facility to ensure compliance with the international halal standards and verify the implementation of a halal program
3. Certification
   1. Upon successful completion of the audit process, the relevant certification documents are released.

How long does the halal certification process take?

The halal certification process typically takes 3-6 weeks from receipt of the completed application to certification but can be expedited if needed. AHF has consistently been #1 worldwide in Time to Certification (TTC).

Does Kosher mean Halal?

Kosher is not halal by default. While some kosher products are halal and vice-versa, consumers and companies should always seek verification of the halal certification status to ensure the product meets halal standards. 

An excellent resource on this subject is: The Differences and Similarities in Halal & Kosher Certifications – AHF

Does vegan mean Halal?

No, Vegan does not necessarily mean halal. Vegan products may contain alcohol or may have been contaminated with non-halal raw materials rendering the resulting products non-halal (haram). 

How do I obtain halal certification for export?

If you halal-certify with the American Halal Foundation , by default, your products will be ready to export globally. To learn more about AHF’s International recognition, visit: International Halal Accreditation & Recognition. 

How many operational changes will I need to implement halal certification?

Generally, extensive changes are not required. AHF’s philosophy is to take into consideration the existing quality and safety systems, protocols, and processes and integrate them into a halal program. 

Which logo should I place on my label?

Upon completion of the AHF halal certification process, you may apply one of the below logos. It is strongly advised that you do not place a generic halal logo, whether you are certified or not.

Are there different levels of certification?

No, there are no levels to halal certification. A product is either halal or not (haram). 

How should I select a halal certification agency?

You should select a halal certification authority based on the following criteria: 

1. International Accreditation and Recognition
2. Halal Standards 
3. Client Service 

For a complete guide on this, visit: How to Choose a Halal Certifier?

How much does halal certification cost?

Below are the main factors that go into determining the cost of halal certification: 

1. Number of manufacturing facilities 
2. Number of products 
3. Number of ingredients
4. Number of Audits Required
5. Risk level of products

To obtain a quote, get in touch with a certification specialist by completing the form below, and a proposal will be generated for you.

How to get started with halal certification?

To get started with halal certification, you can complete the preliminary application form here: Apply for Halal Certification

A certification specialist will guide you from there by answering questions you may have and guide you through the certification process.