Why Do Halal Products Become a Global Standard?

Being Halal certified has many benefits. First, the certification guarantees that a product meets Islamic law’s requirements and standards. Typically, with food, this standard denotes that blood was drained from the animal before slaughter (in the case of meat products), that the product does not contain any pork, and that it does not contain alcohol. Hygiene throughout the entire process is essential. Other product categories have similar standards as well. For example, a Halal-certified pharmaceutical product is one that does not contain any forbidden substances. Products that are certified as Halal help guarantee purity and strengthen ethics. It is for these reasons that the demand and attraction of Halal products and services extend beyond the Muslim consumer.

Understanding the Concept of Halal

In Arabic, “halal” means “permissible.” So, when a product is certified as halal, it means that it contains no impurities and that it was manufactured in an ethical and lawful manner. These standards are applied and incorporated throughout the entire process, from the sourcing of the raw materials to the finished product. The standards for food would also apply to cosmetics, perfumes, and other personal care products as well. The pharmaceutical industry is also required to meet similar standards. The process and the certification offer assurance for the Muslim consumer regarding the lawful sourcing of the product. However, from an ethical viewpoint, non-Muslims also read this assurance as quality. The focus on the global Halal market has encouraged and promoted ethical standards andbusiness practices across numerous markets.

Ethical Aspects of Halal

The ethical dimension of halal relates mainly to the welfare of the animal. This means the animal should be handled and slaughtered in a manner which causes the least possible suffering and stress. The meat should also be wholesome. Quality and welfare are thus closely interrelated and improvement in one area should lead to an improvement in the other. The halal industry has developed stringent regulatory and industry welfare standards. Sustainability and ethical sourcing are interrelated to the production of halal meat. Producers should also practice sustainable and ethical means in the production and distribution of halal meat.

Health and Hygiene

Rigorous standards of cleanliness and purity and the absence of harmful ingredients are other reasons why many prefer halal products. In order for a product to be certified as halal, all steps in the production process must be strictly monitored to ensure that no cross-contamination occurs. Many of the additives, preservatives and processing aids used in food processing are also strictly prohibited. Halal regulations also require meat to be sourced from healthy animals, and poultry to be handled and slaughtered in a manner that causes the least possible suffering, and gives due consideration to the welfare of the animal. Given these ethical and regulatory requirements and the level of oversight of every step in the supply chain, the production of halal foods meets the expectations of a large and growing segment of the market for safe, clean and wholesome foods.

The Scope of Halal

Halal holds a broader scope than just muscle consumers. It almost completely aligns with kosher standards. As a result, many products are acceptable to the kosher consumer and many health and environmentally conscious consumers. Certifications stress the quality of the product and further build consumer trust. Halal industry standards cover food and beverages and personal care products. Many manufacturers have begun expanding their Halal product lines to serve consumer needs outside of the food industry. Certified cosmetics are a safer option and align better with consumer needs and preferences than other available options on the market. Medications and other pharmaceuticals can be certified and must meet certain standards for consumer safety and trust. Recently, industry trends have shown that companies are pursuing Halal certification to gain a competitive advantage and increase their consumer base, regardless of religion.

Increase in Global Trade

The estimate by GMI Research predicts the Halal ingredients market is expected to rise to over 75 billion by 2033. Currently, numerous markets within both Muslim-majority and non-Muslim countries support and benefit from this industry. The growing desire and need for Halal certified products have improved local economies and created new job opportunities worldwide.