Halal control
Halal control is a systematic process that ensures products and services are permissible under Islamic law, from the sourcing of raw materials to their final delivery. It is more than just a religious requirement; it is a holistic quality assurance system that encompasses hygiene, safety, ethical practices, and supply chain integrity. This control system uses a framework similar to Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) to identify and manage Halal Control Points (HCPs)—any step where the halal status of a product could be compromised.
Key aspects of halal control
- Materials and suppliers: All raw materials, additives, and processing aids must be verified as halal-compliant. This includes thorough checks to ensure suppliers have proper halal certification from recognized bodies.
- Production and processing: Companies must prevent cross-contamination between halal and non-halal products throughout the manufacturing process. This requires dedicated production lines, proper cleaning procedures, and strict segregation protocols for equipment and storage.
- Hygiene and sanitation: In addition to adhering to Islamic dietary laws, halal control mandates high standards of cleanliness, sanitation, and product safety.
- Traceability: A robust traceability system is essential to document the origin, handling, and production process of all materials and products. This ensures that a certified product can be traced back to approved materials and facilities.
- Monitoring and internal audits: Companies must establish a Halal Assurance System (HAS) that includes a team responsible for regular internal audits to monitor compliance. These audits are supplemented by external audits from official halal certification bodies.
- Logistics and distribution: The halal status of products must be protected during storage and transport. This requires segregated handling and storage areas, and using technology like GPS tracking and electronic seals to monitor shipments.
Why is halal control important?
- Consumer trust: It provides assurance to Muslim consumers that the products they use and consume adhere to their religious requirements.
- Quality assurance: The stringent standards for hygiene, safety, and traceability mean that halal-certified products often meet a higher overall quality standard that appeals to non-Muslims as well.
- Ethical considerations: Halal control often incorporates ethical practices, such as humane treatment of animals, which resonates with ethically conscious consumers.
- Market access: Halal certification is a strategic advantage for companies, opening up access to the global halal market, which serves a large and growing Muslim population.
- Risk mitigation: By implementing a control system, businesses can identify and mitigate risks of non-compliance, such as using uncertified ingredients or cross-contamination, which can cause significant financial and reputational damage.
is it Halal Control international accepted?
The certification from the German-based body Halal Control (HC) is internationally accepted and recognized by a large number of official halal authorities and leading Islamic institutions worldwide. This allows companies with HC-certified products to export them to many countries with large Muslim populations.
Halal Control's reputation comes from its:
- Widespread recognition: HC is accredited by numerous national and regional halal authorities across the globe, including:
- Southeast Asia: JAKIM (Malaysia), BPJPH (Indonesia), and MUIS (Singapore).
- Middle East: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)/Gulf Standardization Organization (GSO), EIAC (UAE), and Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA).
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Other key markets: CICOT (Thailand) and SANHA (South Africa).
- Accreditation standards: HC aligns its operations with international quality standards, such as ISO/IEC 17065, ensuring a robust and transparent certification process.
- Experience: Founded in 2001, HC has a long history and track record of assessing and certifying products, processes, and services to be halal.
- International affiliations: It is a member of the World Halal Council (WHC) and the AHAC Global Association of Halal Certifiers, which further boosts its international credibility
What does halal mean in food and supplement
Halal control is a system for ensuring that food and supplement products meet Islamic dietary laws, or Sharia. This rigorous process governs every stage of production, from the sourcing of raw ingredients to manufacturing, packaging, and distribution. It is designed to prevent contamination by forbidden (haram) ingredients and to ensure that all processes are pure and hygienic (thoyyib).
Halal control is often integrated with standard food safety systems, such as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), but adds a unique set of religious requirements. A key component is identifying "Halal Critical Control Points" (HACCPs) in the production process, which are specific points where a product's halal status could be compromised.
Halal control in food
The control process for food is comprehensive and covers the entire supply chain.
- Ingredients: All components must be free from haram substances, which include:
- Pork and its derivatives.
- Alcohol and intoxicants.
- Meat from carnivores, birds of prey, and certain other animals.
- Any animal not slaughtered according to Islamic ritual (zabiha).
- Slaughtering (Zabiha): For meat to be halal, the animal must be a permissible species and slaughtered in a specific, humane manner by a Muslim. This involves:
- Mentioning the name of God.
- Using a sharp blade to make a swift cut to the neck to minimize suffering.
- Ensuring the animal is alive and healthy at the time of slaughter.
- Processing:
- Segregation: Halal products must be processed and stored separately from non-halal products to prevent any chance of cross-contamination.
- Equipment: Machinery, utensils, and processing lines must be either dedicated exclusively to halal products or thoroughly cleansed according to Islamic requirements before use.
- Storage and Distribution: Halal products must be stored and transported in separate, clearly marked areas and vehicles to maintain segregation.
Halal control in supplements
For dietary supplements, halal control focuses on ingredients and the manufacturing process, given the frequent use of animal-derived substances and alcohol.
- Ingredient sourcing: This is a critical point of control. For example:
- Gelatin: Capsules and gummies often contain gelatin, which must be sourced from halal-certified animal products or plant-based alternatives.
- Collagen and whey protein: These must come from halal animal sources or be proven to be free of haram additives.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Any processing aids, such as alcohol, must be halal-compliant.
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L-cysteine: This flour-improving agent, if animal-derived, must be sourced from halal animals.
- Processing aids: Many supplements use alcohol as a solvent or preservative. Halal control ensures only permissible alternatives are used.
- Cross-contamination: As with food, supplement manufacturing facilities must prevent any contact between halal and non-halal ingredients. This is especially important in facilities that produce both types of products.
- Labeling and Certification: Halal-certified supplements feature a label from an authorized certification body, like the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA), which verifies that all ingredients and processes meet halal standards.
Verification and certification
To provide assurance to consumers, products undergo a formal halal certification process performed by accredited bodies. The process generally includes:
- Audits: Inspections are conducted by halal auditors and experts in Islamic affairs.
- Testing: Laboratories may perform analytical tests, such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), to detect the presence of pork DNA.
- Documentation: Manufacturers must establish and maintain a Halal Assurance System with written procedures for monitoring and internal audits.
For halal certified supplements, this means: Ingredient Integrity: All ingredients used are free from prohibited (haram) substances, such as pork or alcohol derivatives. Hygienic Processing: The manufacturing process adheres to strict hygiene standards to ensure cleanliness and purity.
Kosher
Kosher certification ensures that food products meet Jewish dietary laws and are prepared according to specific rituals. Manufacturers must comply with the requirements of a kosher certification agency, such as the Orthodox Union (OU) or the Kosher Supervision of America (KSA). This involves ingredient scrutiny, facility inspections, and regular supervision by a kosher authority.
A manufacturer must be certified by a Kosher certification agency in order to label a food as Kosher. This is a fairly easy process, so if you require a Kosher certification and your co-man doesn’t currently have it, it might be something they are willing to obtain.
The five largest Kosher certifying bodies, known as the “Big Five,” include:
- OU Kosher
- OK Kosher
- KOF-K
- Star-K
- CRC
These certify more than 80% of US Kosher Foods
Kosher: Understanding Its Significance and Certification
Kosher foods adhere to the Jewish dietary laws known as kashrut, which detail what foods can be consumed and how they must be prepared. The word “kosher” itself means “fit” or “appropriate,” indicating that the food meets the dietary standards set forth by these laws. These laws are comprehensive, covering aspects from the types of animals that can be eaten to the way they must be slaughtered and processed.
The Basics of Kosher
Kosher dietary laws are divided into three main categories: meat (fleishig), dairy (milchig), and pareve (neither meat nor dairy). Certain animals are considered inherently non-kosher, such as pigs and shellfish. Kosher mammals and birds must be slaughtered in a specific manner known as shechita, and the blood must be thoroughly removed since consuming blood is forbidden.
Dairy and meat products cannot be mixed, and this separation extends to the utensils and equipment used to prepare and consume these foods. Pareve foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and grains, can be eaten with either meat or dairy products, provided they haven’t been processed with equipment used for non-kosher foods or those containing meat or dairy.
The Importance of Kosher Certification
Kosher certification is a critical aspect for food manufacturers and consumers alike. It serves as a guarantee that the products comply with kashrut. The demand for kosher-certified products extends beyond the Jewish community to include people who view kosher certification as an indicator of quality, safety, and adherence to certain dietary or ethical standards. This broader consumer base includes vegetarians, those with lactose intolerance, and individuals concerned with humane animal treatment.
Kosher certification agencies, such as the Orthodox Union (OU), Star-K, and OK Kosher Certification, play a significant role in this process. They inspect food manufacturing facilities and review ingredients, production processes, and equipment to ensure compliance with kosher laws. Once a product is certified, it can display the certifying agency’s symbol, which aids consumers in identifying kosher products easily.
Kosher and Other Certifications
For businesses, obtaining kosher certification can be strategically combined with other certifications, such as organic, non-GMO, or gluten-free, to meet a wider range of consumer demands. Agencies like NSF International offer joint auditing programs, allowing products to achieve multiple certifications simultaneously, which can save time and reduce inspection costs. This approach not only appeals to those strictly observing kashrut but also to consumers interested in organic or health-conscious diets, showcasing the versatility and comprehensive nature of kosher certification.
Dual certification of Kosher and Halal in food and supplement
A food or supplement product can be dual-certified as kosher and halal, if it meets the dietary requirements of both Jewish and Islamic law. This is most common with plant-based, vegetarian, or dairy products. However, dual certification for meat and poultry is significantly more complex due to conflicting regulations on slaughter methods and is not widely accepted.
Products commonly dual-certified
Dual kosher and halal certification is most feasible for products that already adhere to strict purity standards and avoid haram (forbidden) ingredients, such as pork and alcohol.
- Plant-based products: Products made entirely from vegetables, fruits, and grains are often inherently compatible with both sets of dietary laws, provided there is no cross-contamination during processing. Examples include PLNT's plant-based meat substitutes, which are certified kosher after first obtaining halal certification.
- Fish: Both diets permit fish with fins and scales.
- Gelatin-free supplements and capsules: Supplements in plant-based capsules, Gelatin for kosher certification must be derived from kosher-slaughtered animals or non-animal sources, with strict protocols to avoid cross-contamination.
- Non-meat meals (pareve and dairy): Since the 1990s, My Own Meals has successfully marketed dual-certified, non-meat meals to institutions.
- Ingredients and botanical extracts: Fröplus has been successfully marketed dual-certified botanical extracts for their food and supplement products.
Fröplus takes pride in its commitment to quality and inclusivity, which is why the company is thrilled to announce its recent achievement of obtaining the Dual certificate for both Halal Control and Kosher standards.
What does it mean to have a Dual certificate for Halal Control and Kosher?
Having a Dual certificate for Halal Control and Kosher means that Fröplus products meet the strict dietary requirements of both the Halal and Kosher standards. This certification ensures that the products are prepared, processed, and stored according to the guidelines set forth by both Halal and Kosher dietary laws.
Why is this certification important?
For consumers who adhere to either Halal or Kosher dietary restrictions, having a Dual certificate provides assurance that the products they are consuming meet their religious dietary requirements. This certification not only expands the market reach for Fröplus but also demonstrates the company's dedication to catering to diverse dietary needs.
How does this certification benefit consumers?
By obtaining the Dual certificate for Halal Control and Kosher, Fröplus is able to offer a wider range of products that cater to individuals following either Halal or Kosher dietary practices. This certification gives consumers peace of mind knowing that they can enjoy Fröplus products without compromising their religious beliefs.
What sets Fröplus apart with this certification?
With the Dual certificate for Halal Control and Kosher, Fröplus distinguishes itself as a brand that values inclusivity and quality. This certification showcases the company's commitment to providing products that meet the highest standards of both Halal and Kosher dietary laws, setting Fröplus apart as a trusted and reliable choice for consumers with diverse dietary needs.
In conclusion, Fröplus' achievement of obtaining the Dual certificate for Halal Control and Kosher is a testament to the company's dedication to quality, inclusivity, and meeting the dietary needs of a diverse consumer base. This certification not only expands the market reach for Fröplus but also reinforces the brand's reputation as a trusted provider of products that meet the highest standards of both Halal and Kosher dietary laws.
