Halal Certification 101: Here's How It Works

Have you ever wondered about those green Halal حلال certification stamps you often see on food packaging? How does a product qualify? How certain can you be that the stamps are legitimate?

With a global increase in demand for halal-certified products, more and more businesses are listening to the Muslim community and taking Islamic guidelines into consideration. Unfortunately, many industries, like dietary supplements, have been lagging behind due to the complex and time-consuming processes involved. Let's explore how certifying supplements as halal is really done. 

What is halal certification? ✅

In a nutshell, it's the process of ensuring that a product meets the requirements of Islamic law. In the context of supplements, this means that the ingredients used in a given supplement are halal and that the production process follows halal guidelines. For example, a concerning amount of supplements contain porcine (pig) product and are manufactured with cross-contaminated equipment.

The process of halal certification for supplements can be usually broken down into the following steps.

1. Ingredient Review

More often than not, the first step is to review the ingredients used in the product. The certifying organisation will typically require a list of all the ingredients, including their original source and exact processing methods. Each ingredient will be reviewed individually to ensure that it is halal. This includes checking for any animal-derived products that are not halal, such as pork or alcohol.

2. Manufacturing Review

Once the ingredients have been given the green light, the manufacturing process will be assessed. The certifying organisation will look at the entire process, from the sourcing of raw materials to the final packaging of the product. This includes assessing the manufacturing equipment to ensure that it is not contaminated with non-halal substances.

3. Site Inspection

The next step in the halal certification process for supplements is a site inspection. A representative from the certifying organisation will visit the manufacturing facility to ensure that the processes being used are in line with halal guidelines. This includes checking that the facility is clean and free from non-halal contaminants.

4. Certification Decision

Based on the ingredient review, manufacturing review, and site inspection, the certifying organisation will make a decision on whether or not to certify the supplement. If the product meets all the requirements, it will be awarded a halal certification.

5. Ongoing Monitoring

The final step in the halal certification process for supplements is ongoing monitoring. The certifying organisation will continue to monitor the product and the manufacturing process to ensure that the halal certification is maintained. This includes periodic site inspections and reviews of any changes to the ingredients or manufacturing processes.

A case study: Crescent Days 🌙

Crescent Days is a halal supplements brand for wellness, based in the United Kingdom. In order to sell to the Muslim market, the products need to be halal certified.

Crescent Days works closely with the World Halal Trust Group, a leading certifying organisation in the halal industry, to ensure that all products meet the strict halal guidelines.

The World Halal Trust Group reviews each ingredient used in Crescent Days supplements to ensure that they are halal and that the manufacturing process adheres to the highest halal standards. With this certification, customers can rest assured that they are consuming supplements that are in line with their religious beliefs and ethical values.

The end result is peace of mind knowing that the product is 100% halal and approved for use by the Muslim community.