Halal is an Arabic word that in Islam indicates “permitted” or “lawful”. It is a phrase that refers to a manner of animal killing that is compatible with Islamic ceremonies, and it is also an umbrella term that may be used regarding any food items.
Before a producer or manufacturer is granted permission to label their food with the certification trademark, the producer or manufacturer must first show that they can comply with stringent requirements set by food certification organizations. Examples of certification standards that are not related to religion include those for organic food, free-range eggs, and the Australian Made and Produced accreditation, which is perhaps the most well-known of the bunch. Certification enables producers and manufacturers to advertise their goods more successfully to end-users. Producers and manufacturers seek certification.
For a meal to be certified Halal, it must, just as with other food certification systems, comply with the regulations that have been established by the organization from whom the food producer or maker is seeking certification. After the necessary criteria have been satisfied, the food may then be packed and sold under the label of having been granted Halal certification by the competent organization.
Why Need to Gain Halal certification in Australia?
Food that has been granted the status of Halal by an organization in Australia may compete favorably in international markets, which results in creating chances for export. Both the manufacturers and the certifiers want access to the local and international markets that are provided by the certification, and the certifiers want the manufacturers’ cash.
What Exactly is Not Allowed – What is Haram?
Haram food goods include pork and its by-products, animals with fangs, Halal animals that have been incorrectly slain, fat, alcoholic beverages, and foods that have been contaminated with the foods listed above. Unless specifically designated as Haram, all foods are considered Halal (which means prohibited or unlawful). To provide one example, all fruits and vegetables are considered Halal unless they have been tainted with Haram chemicals or the facility where they were produced contains Haram substances.
Australian Government Authorised Halal Program (meat notice 2009/08: regulations for the preparation, identification, storage, and certification for the export of Halal red meat and red meat products), Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, is a good place to look for additional information regarding Halal and Haram foods.
Halal Australia, which is a certifying body, provides general information about halal and haram foods, as well as Halal certification.
This service is also offered by Victoria’s Islamic Co-ordinating Council and Queensland’s Islamic Council.
What Exactly is the Procedure for Being Halal Certified in Australia?
Halal certification, like other types of certification, consists of several broad phases, including the following:
- A request for certification is submitted by the relevant food producer or manufacturer to the appropriate certifying organization (for example, Halal Australia). In most cases, this requires giving specific information on the raw materials, ingredients, and additives, as well as the manufacturing process.
- A report is then compiled after an inspection of the manufacturing site, which is carried out on behalf of the certifying organization by a person who is appropriately qualified to do so. The inspection’s goal is to determine whether or not all relevant requirements are being met regularly. The applicant may be needed to make changes to the procedures or substances used in their manufacturing process or to submit more information on their supply chain.
- Following the successful negotiation of a certification agreement between the applicant and the certifying authority, the applicant is granted halal accreditation or certification for a certain amount of time.
- There is a flow chart accessible here that illustrates an example of the domestic Halal certification process, and there is another flow chart available here that illustrates an example of the international Halal certification process.
Does the Certification of Halal Food Items Result in Higher Prices for Customers?
The cost of acquiring certification as Halal may vary significantly based on the product that is being certified, the organization that is providing the certification, and whether the commodities are intended for local or international use. The fees are often on the lower end.
The cost of certification, when seen from the perspective of total production, promotion, and distribution expenditures, has very little, if any, influence on the price of a product that is manufactured on a big scale.
Why is a Halal Certificate necessary for a Company Operating in Australia?
The decision about whether or not a retailer should look into obtaining a Halal Certificate rests on the proprietor of the business. Think about the market that you are going after, and then think about the market that you aren’t going after at all.
Halal Certificates have the potential to act as the key that unlocks the door to an expanding commercial possibility. Therefore, if you run a small business and notice a large number of customers wearing abayas, hijabs, or identifying as Muslim brothers and sisters passing through your doors, consider the advantages of catering to that market.
The Halal Certificate is a document that identifies the product, service, or location as complying with halal standards. It is a recognized and trusted authority. Many Muslim customers place their trust in the reliability of the Halal Certificate to determine whether items are appropriate for eating.
In Australia, who has the authority to provide a Halal Certificate?
There are two distinct kinds of Halal Certificates, each of which may be issued by a different Authority.
- Exporting:
- Local Australian Market:
The Department of Agriculture, which is a branch of the federal government, has developed a list of Halal Authorities that may be contacted to get Halal Certification for red halal meat and red meat products that are intended for export.
Many different authorities may provide halal certification for products destined for the Australian market. This encompasses both the Local or Regional Mosque Authorities and the Local Business Operators found throughout Australia. They might be a person, a non-profit organization, or a business. When thinking about “Who,” it is essential to investigate the standing of the Authority among the communities served by the local markets.
How Can We Help You with Halal Certification Consulting in Australia?
According to experiences in the Australian market, there is a diverse range of companies that provide Halal Certification to meet the requirements of restaurants, butcher shops, supermarkets, abattoirs, pharmaceutical companies, and other businesses.
We can guide you through the following procedures:
There is a wide variety of evaluation methods, some of which are rather in-depth while others are more fundamental.
- The first step in obtaining Halal Certification in Australia for a company is to locate an appropriate Halal Authority once the company has determined the value of the certification. (Google, Personal References, and the Department of Agriculture)
- It is common practice that submitting an online inquiry or calling the Authority will put you in touch with the individual to start the procedure.
- In certain jurisdictions, the process of applying for a Halal certificate may be completed online. This can help authorities determine if an applicant is suitable for the program and what kind of certification is needed.
- The Authority will gather information from the company about the supply chain, manufacturing process, quality control, quality assurance, logistics, human resources, the workplace, and other related topics. The goal is to establish whether or if there is a danger of contamination with Haram goods or techniques, which would put the Certification in jeopardy.
- Site inspections and audits will be performed in addition to this. After the Inspection and Audit have been carried out successfully and the Authority has determined that their requirements have been met, the Authority will then issue a Halal Certificate.
- Obtaining a Halal Certificate in Australia can be contingent on passing a continuing audit and review, which might take place periodically (annually).