7 replies to this topic

[jcieslowski]

Looking for feedback on quick and easy and non-expensive Halal certification.

 

We have a very simple process.   We cook and freeze beans (red, black, pinto, chickpea, great northern, etc.).   We have no allergens, chemicals used, or anything.  Just water and beans.  A customer is asking for a certification but they're not very big and corporate is kind of of the thought that it's not worth it or 'why bother' but I want to at least present a cost analysis for them.

 

Who have you guys used that you like for inexpensive and easy Halal?

[kconf]

Where in the US are you? 

[GMO]

These guys claim to be global but are based in the UK, I've used them before.

 

HalalFoodAuthority

 

I honestly can't remember the price but back in the day the audit was sensible and their information they shared helped us write a Halal policy to support compliance.

 

If you're getting it for a specific market or customer it might be worth asking which certification body is accepted as it might not be the same everywhere. There are often multiple organisations offering accreditation.

Edited by GMO, Yesterday, 07:28 PM.

[jcieslowski]

Where in the US are you? 

 

Michigan

 

If you're getting it for a specific market or customer it might be worth asking which certification body is accepted as it might not be the same everywhere. There are often multiple organisations offering accreditation.

 

Super sensible advice, I think I'll reach out to them and see who they like using.

[Syzygy]

I can just agree with the above, check with the customer if they have preferences. I have a supplier that has 3 different Halal certifications, just because the auditing body has more recognition in different continents.

 

Also, there are different Halal standards as well, not all of them agree on the same things like alcohol usage (hand sanitisers etc.) machinery maintenance (Halal food safe lubricants to be used on machines etc.) and the slaughter and stun methods (principal 1,2,3), but the latter should not affect you if your product is not meat. 

 

Auditing bodies normally list what standards they can certify for and this will be visible on the certification as well.

 

- Malaysia Halal Standard (MS 1500): Developed by JAKIM, this standard covers food production, preparation, handling, and storage, emphasizing hygiene and safety.

- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Standard (GSO 2055-1:2015): This standard unifies Halal requirements across Gulf countries, focusing on food products.

- Indonesian Ulema Council (HAS) Standard (HAS 23000): Mandatory for all Halal-certified products in Indonesia, covering food, beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

- OIC/SMIIC 1:2019 (OIC): Developed by the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries, this standard aims to harmonize Halal certification across OIC member countries.

- Singapore Halal Standard (MUIS): Managed by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, this standard ensures compliance with Islamic dietary laws for food and non-food products.

 

I only have experience with MS1500:2019 that only focuses on food.

 

I think certification should be an easy process for you no matter which auditing body you are going with. Prices can be affected by recognition as well, the more "popular" and known an auditing body is, the more expensive it will be. You are paying for this recognition as well, by being able to use their logo on your product. Also, there are different packages, which can include trainings, consultation etc..

[GMO]

Also, there are different Halal standards as well, not all of them agree on the same things like alcohol usage (hand sanitisers etc.) machinery maintenance (Halal food safe lubricants to be used on machines etc.) and the slaughter and stun methods (principal 1,2,3), but the latter should not affect you if your product is not meat. 

 

 

Yep we had that "disagreement" with a HFA auditor and he wouldn't accept that the "alcohol" in our hand sanitiser wasn't even ethanol anyway, even when we showed him the specification stating "isopropanol". We decided to stop arguing and offered to test someone using the sanitiser then immediately touching product, wrapping that product, sending it to the lab to test for presence of alcohol. Which for one, would never happen but it was worst worst case and secondly would immediate evaporate even if ethanol were present but thirdly would never detect as the formulation didn't contain ethanol. Still, the auditor was happy with that, we showed him the test results, obviously clear and everyone was happy.

The dances we dance with auditors sometimes eh? 

[LostInTheWoods]

We use Islamic Services of America. They were selected by our customer and are less than half the cost of our Kosher certification. Audits are typically straightforward, mainly reviewing training, suppliers' Halal certs, and results of mock recall. It sounds like your processing is pretty straightforward, so it doesn't sound too hard.

 

Does your potential customer have a recommendation?

[jcieslowski]

Does your potential customer have a recommendation?

 

Working on that now.   Sales person reached out.  Thanks.