What Are Halal Food Certification Standards?

For Muslim consumers, a Halal certification mark on a food package holds important meaning. But what does Halal certification actually require, and how can consumers know what a certification represents?

Halal food certification goes beyond simply checking whether a product contains pork or alcohol. Depending on the product and certifying organization, the process can include reviewing ingredients, sourcing, manufacturing practices, processing equipment and, for meat and poultry, religious slaughter requirements.

At J&M Food Products, these questions have been part of our work in the Halal market for decades. Our longstanding partnership with the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) has helped shape our approach to Halal certified food and our commitment to serving Muslim consumers.

Halal means “permitted” or “lawful” under Islamic law. Halal food certification provides verification that a product has been evaluated according to the standards of a Halal certifying organization.

Depending on the product, certification may evaluate:

• Ingredients and Sourcing: Ingredients and their sources must meet the certifier’s Halal requirements.

• Processing Aids and Other Components: Flavors, seasonings and other components may also require review.

• Manufacturing and Handling: Production practices and equipment may be evaluated to ensure Halal requirements are maintained.

• Meat and Poultry: Applicable Halal slaughter and processing requirements must be followed.

This is why credible third-party certification matters. It provides consumers with more information than a manufacturer simply describing a product as Halal.

When J&M entered the Halal market, the U.S. certification landscape was far less developed. The company encountered inconsistencies in certification practices, questions about oversight and independence, and even unauthorized use of certification symbols.

Those experiences reinforced an important principle: Halal certification is most meaningful when consumers understand who is certifying a product and the standards behind that certification.

Certification standards can vary among certifying organizations, and interpretations of what is acceptable can also differ among Muslim consumers. For consumers and institutional buyers, identifying the organization behind the certification can therefore be just as important as seeing the word Halal on the package.

J&M’s relationship with IFANCA goes back decades.

As the U.S. Halal food market developed, J&M founder Mary Anne Jackson worked with IFANCA to address the practical challenges of applying Halal requirements to commercial food production.

In 1997, Mary Anne Jackson and IFANCA co-authored and published the Halal Industrial Production Standards book to help support the development of the U.S. Halal market.

The collaboration helped translate Halal dietary requirements into standards that could be understood and applied within food manufacturing. It also established a relationship between J&M and IFANCA that continues today.

In 2017, Mary Anne Jackson participated in IFANCA’s 19th Annual International Halal Food Conference in Chicago, where she moderated a panel addressing Halal food certification standards and issues related to Halal meat production.

The Halal food market has changed considerably over the decades. Trained inspectors have become more prevalent, while consumers, businesses and governments have placed greater scrutiny on certifying organizations and the standards they follow.

International trade has also made certification increasingly important. Requirements for Halal food imports can vary by country, including which Halal certification organizations are recognized or accepted.

For food manufacturers, Halal certification is therefore more than a symbol on a package. It represents the standards, processes and oversight behind the product.

Whether you’re choosing food for yourself, your family or an organization, start by looking for a recognized Halal certification mark and identifying the organization responsible for the certification.

For institutional food buyers, additional questions may include:

• Who Certifies the Product?

• Does the Certification Apply to the Specific Product Being Purchased?

• What Standards Does the Certifying Organization Follow?

• For Meat and Poultry, What Halal Requirements Apply to the Meat Used?

These questions help move the conversation beyond simply asking “Is it Halal?”, to understanding “How do I know it is Halal?”

For J&M Food Products, Halal certification has been central to our work in the Halal market for decades.

Our longstanding partnership with IFANCA, including our work together on the Halal Industrial Production Standards© manual in 1997, reflects a shared commitment to meaningful standards and responsible oversight.

Today, that commitment continues through J&M’s Halal certified, shelf stable meals and our work to serve Muslim consumers and the organizations that provide meals for them.

Reach out and we’ll explain how our certification works and what it means for the meals you bring home.