Mohammad Hussaini is the Executive Director at the American Halal Foundation with extensive expertise in food, cosmetic, nutraceutical, and ingredient manufacturing. At AHF, Mohammad has led initiatives to streamline the halal certification process, develop audit tools for integrated compliance (e.g., Halal + SQF, GMP, Gluten-Free, etc), and coordinate AHF’s expanding certification footprint across industries like cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and industrial chemicals. Beyond halal certification, Mohammad also explores intersections of Islamic finance and ethical business, bringing a holistic Islamic Guidelines-based lens to organizational governance. He also holds executive roles across multiple industries, including clinical research, quality assurance, international food trading, education, and investment management.
The new U.S.–Indonesia trade deal is one of the most commercially important U.S. trade developments in Southeast Asia this year. At a high level, it opens Indonesia’s market wider to U.S. goods and services, especially in agriculture, manufactured products, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, digital trade, and critical minerals. It also comes at a meaningful time as
Read more
In the United States, halal certification is issued by private halal certification bodies, not by a single federal or state level “halal authority”. What makes a halal certificate usable (and trusted) depends on three layers: In this guide, we take a deeper dive into who can issue halal certification and what manufacturers, brands, and exporters
Read more
Halal certification in the US often raises questions such as whether it is legally required, who issues it and what “halal-certified” actually means for a business? Key Numbers The US halal food market size is expected to grow by USD 21.63 billion by 2029, as demand rises among both Muslim consumers and mainstream buyers seeking
Read more
INCI is the universal naming system used worldwide to identify cosmetic ingredients on product labels, ensuring transparency, safety, and legal compliance. For major cosmetic and personal care brands targeting Muslim consumers or exporting to markets like the Middle East, Southeast Asia, or Indonesia, it carries even more weight as INCI names are the foundation of
Read more
Haram, means “forbidden,” referring to anything prohibited under the Islamic dietary guidelines. In today’s global food industry “haram” can be thought of as an allergen – a substance that Muslim consumers must avoid entirely and halal certification is the process to safeguard products are free from the “halal allergens”. For halal consumers, consuming haram
Read more
A halal audit is a structured and systematic evaluation of a company’s operations, processes, and products to ensure compliance with halal certification requirements as defined by Islamic dietary laws and regulatory standards. It is an essential part of the halal certification process, ensuring that products meet halal standards and do not contain or come into
Read more
Halal Critical Control Points (HCCPs) are specific stages in the production, processing, packaging, and storage of halal products where risks of contamination, cross-contamination, or non-compliance with halal requirements are identified and must be effectively controlled. In this guide, we take a comprehensive look at the key principles, processes, and industry-specific applications of Halal Critical Control
Read more
Sertu is an Islamic method of spiritual purification and cleaning, specifically used when surfaces or objects are contaminated with major najis (impurities). This practice is rooted in Islamic jurisprudence, ensuring both physical and spiritual cleanliness as per Islamic concepts. It is particularly relevant in halal certification processes where cross-contamination with najis, such as pork, blood,
Read more
The halal consumer market is one of the fastest-growing segments globally, with an estimated value exceeding $2 trillion annually. This growth is fueled by an expanding Muslim population, rising awareness of halal standards, and increasing halal regulations from muslim-majority regions. But why should businesses really pursue halal certification without having existing demand for it? Despite
Read more
Why is halal certification important? This is a stand out question among many businesses globally, particularly those with an audience among muslim-majority regions, but certainly not limited to. “I consider manufacturers and brands with customers already requesting halal certification to be incredibly fortunate. Just think about the numerous sales opportunities that never even reach many
Read more
Whether gelatin is halal depends on several critical factors, including its source, method of processing, and the presence of any contaminants or cross-contaminants. For Muslims, it is essential to ensure that any gelatin consumed or used is halal certified from an internationally recognized halal certification body. This is particularly because Gelatin is an extremely high-risk
Read more
For those seeking clarity regarding Islamic dietary laws, understanding what “zabiha” means and how it relates to “halal” is essential. Zabiha refers to the specific method of slaughtering animals according to Islamic law. It involves a set of rituals and practices that ensure the meat is permissible (halal) for consumption by Muslims. In this blog,
Read more