6 replies to this topic

[r.raju]

Hi everyone!

We are looking at importing RTE breakfast cereals like muesli and snack bars from Europe to GCC. The manufacturer is not Halal certified. Since these are regular foods (not animal based) I am wondering if we can import the products on basis of testing the finished product for Halal testing I.e. porcine derivatives and alcohol residue. Would this suffice? Or is it mandatory that the manufacturer has to be Halal certified even for such low risk products? The volume is not huge so it doesn’t justify us asking them to get Halal certified...

I would be grateful if anyone on this forum who has handled a similar scenario or is aware of the requirements could share their expertise or experience.

Thanks in advance!

Roshni

[tiamtzet]

never deal with GCC HALAL before.

based on the experience from another Islamic country HALAL, HALAL testing cannot replace the certification. All processed food must undergo certification process to be recognised as HALAL. if ethanol is produced/ used during the processing steps, the product will not consider HALAL product even though no residue detected in final product. 

FYI, countries regulate HALAL certificate differently. 

[r.raju]

Hi thanks for your reply.

Just to clarify we are not labeling the product as Halal. This query is more related to customs clearance. So I am wondering if this means that all manufacturers who export any processed food product even if not animal based must have Halal certification system in place? Is this practical for manufacturers outside the GCC...

[pHruit]

I'd suggest discussing with the importer/distributor/retailer with whom you'll be working in the GCC.
Halal certification isn't always necessary (or at least it wasn't the last time I was involved in export there a few years ago), but equally the application of customs/import requirements can be somewhat variable and that makes it more challenging.

FWIW analysis of ethanol content isn't likely to be an absolute verification of suitability anyway. For some product types it might possibly help, but halal requirements don't stipulate an absolute absence of ethanol in all products - this can be a natural component (at a fairly detectable level) in some types of product, but they'd still be halal suitable because there is no added alcohol.

[LesleySR]

Hi Roshni

 

I believe this very much depends on WHO is asking for Halal certification (importer, final consumer, customs?).

 

There are different Halal standards too, so it is worth checking on the understanding of which halal standard is required?....(eg. standard/Malaysia/UAE)

 

We produce products for a well known cereal company & where not all the ingredients can be certified as halal a statement from the ingredient supplier included on the specification stating "suitable for a halal diet" satisfies our final customer requirements.

 

If you are asking for halal certification from a supplier that is either not halal certified or the products you purchase are not included in the scope of their halal accreditation & your purchase quantity is minimal, suppliers are often reluctant to pursue certification as this is additional cost/effort for them.

 

I've had this issue periodically with imported foods/ingredients and now ask that the project originator includes any "special requests" (eg. RSPO, Organic, Halal, Kosher, specific testing for COAs) so we can properly cost the project.

[GMO]

I used to be halal certified in a former company.  We used the Halal Food Agency and they were helpful, had a reasonable standard which wasn't onerous to comply with.  As said above though, there are different halal standards.

 

If it's acceptable to import the goods on the basis of testing for, e.g. porcine DNA, ethanol and shellfish for example, could you not just ask the supplier if they use any of these on site?  For a cereal bar manufacturer, it's pretty unlikely and as pHruit says, it rules out potential accidental positives from fruit fermentation.  They may be able to provide a statement along those lines and with other GMP controls which would be supportive, e.g. handwashing at entry to the facility.  If the HFA standard is acceptable though, it is one of the better standards out there.  Yes it's extra work but not a massive amount.  It's not like having an additional BRC audit. 

[Miriam M.]

See (attached) GSO 2538:2017 - The maximum limits for residues of ethyl alcohol (ethanol) in food.  I also attach the GSO 2055-1, 2,3 on Halal requirements

 

Clearly this document exempts certain additives such as flavourings from halal-requirement.  Within GCC, halal certification is not a requirement by law, although certain retailers or distributors may require it.  

 

There are some exceptions - for example, Saudia Arabia,   Since November 2020, all shipments of meat and poultry destined to the Saudi Arabia are mandated to obtain a Halal certificate for the food manufacturer and a Halal shipment certificate for each shipment.  A Halal shipment certificate is to be issued under the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) Halal Centre Certification Scheme only by approved Halal certification bodies for clearance of the consignment (air, sea, or land) at Saudi ports and borders.

 

As the population largely embraces halal certification, it is always best to default to obtaining Halal Certificate (from approved certifiers) when possible for this region. 

Attached Files

•  GCC 2538-2017_Maximum limits for residues of ethyl alcohol.docx   24.55KB   18 downloads
•  GCC_2055-1-2014_Halal Products-Part 1 General requirements.pdf   493.57KB   21 downloads
•  GCC_2055-2-2021_Halal Products-Part 2 Requirements Certifying Bodies.pdf   738.38KB   13 downloads
•  GCC_2055-3-2021_Halal Products-Part 3 Requirements acceditation bodies.pdf   529.77KB   12 downloads