Foodi TIPS about halal certification,

1. Mandatory for Key Products in the UAE

• Halal certification is mandatory for many products in the UAE, especially for food, cosmetics, personal care items, and pharmaceuticals. This ensures that products meet the religious and health standards expected by consumers in the region.

2. Controlled by the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA)

• ESMA is the main authority overseeing halal certification in the UAE, which ensures that certified products meet UAE.S 2055 standards for halal production, labeling, and distribution.

3. The Halal National Mark

• Products that meet UAE halal standards are awarded the Halal National Mark. This mark is a symbol of compliance and is required on all halal-certified products sold in the UAE. It assures consumers that the product has passed ESMA’s rigorous standards.

4. Traceability Requirements

• To maintain halal status, products must be traceable throughout the supply chain. Documentation on sourcing, production, and distribution must demonstrate that halal integrity is upheld, with records available for each stage of production.

5. No Pork or Alcohol Content

• Halal-certified products must not contain any pork-derived ingredients or alcohol, as these are strictly prohibited in halal production. This rule applies not only to food but also to cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other consumables.

6. Global Recognition and Export Benefits

• The UAE’s halal standards align with international bodies like the International Halal Accreditation Forum (IHAF) and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Products certified in the UAE can often be recognized as halal in other Muslim-majority countries, facilitating international trade.

7. Separate Production Facilities and Equipment for Halal Products

• Halal-certified products must often be manufactured using separate production lines or equipment from non-halal items to prevent contamination. If shared equipment is used, it must be thoroughly cleansed according to Islamic guidelines.

8. Approved Certification Bodies

• Only halal certification bodies approved by ESMA can issue certificates for products entering the UAE market. These bodies must be accredited to verify compliance and conduct audits as per UAE standards.

9. Animal Slaughtering Must Follow Islamic Law

• For meat products, animals must be slaughtered according to Islamic practices (zabiha), which involves specific guidelines for humane handling, the method of slaughter, and the recitation of ALLAH name.

10. Strict Labeling Standards

• Halal-certified products in the UAE must have clear labeling, often in both Arabic and English, indicating halal certification and containing no misleading claims. Products must also display the Halal National Mark to show certification compliance.

11. Periodic Audits and Renewals

• Halal certification is not a one-time process. Products are subject to periodic audits, and companies must renew certification as standards evolve and to verify ongoing compliance with halal requirements.

12. Consumer Trust and Market Demand

• Halal certification plays a significant role in consumer trust, especially in Muslim-majority markets like the UAE. Having a halal certificate can expand a product’s market reach and make it more attractive to the growing global population of Muslim consumers.

Halal certification in the UAE assures consumers that products are safe, ethically produced, and compliant with Islamic principles. For businesses, it is essential for market access and for building credibility in the region’s highly regulated halal market.