What does Halal mean and what does it mean for a product to be Halal Certified?
Halal is an Arabic word that means permissible. A Halal certified product means that the product is permissible or acceptable in accordance with Islamic law. In order for products to receive this certification, , they must be from an acceptable source such as a cow or chicken and slaughtered according to these laws.
Offering Halal certified products allows Muslim consumers to be confident that the products they use are in alignment with their culture and beliefs. Similarly, products can also be Kosher certified, which gives Jewish consumers the same piece of mind.
Why is it important to be Halal Certified?
There are approximately 2 billion Muslims across the globe, with almost 4 million residing is the US. This market segment has experienced a rapid growth rate over the past several years and is currently valued at approximately $2 trillion USD. According to CNBC, the cosmetic, personal care, healthcare and pharmaceutical industries will see the largest growth in Halal products as the demand is growing at a rapid rate.
Halal Certification Process
In order to complete the Halal Certification process, companies must complete a three step process with an advisory group. This process includes
- Evaluation -- explanation of company and the need for receiving Halal Certification
- Inspection -- onsite inspection of plant and process
- Certification -- once the evaluation and inspection are complete, if passed, the organization will be granted certification