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Can anybody advise on the nature of “testing” for Halal products?

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Lesley.Roberts

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Posted 25 October 2018 - 04:06 PM

Can anybody advise on the nature of “testing” for Halal products?...

Our USA site has been advised that, to maintain certification each product on the Halal certificate neds to be “tested” annually (by Genetic ID).  This is mandatory requirement.

Unfortunately we have not actually been advised what this testing is for & my concern is that this testing may be for “authenticity” which is quite expensive so increases the cost of the annual certification.

I have sought clarification from the certification body as I have never heard of any European Halal certification body implementing a requirement for “testing”.

Meanwhile does anybody have experience of this – I would be very interested to hear your experience.



Scampi

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Posted 25 October 2018 - 05:18 PM

I would think they mean re-certified when they say testing

 

I managed a Canadian HALAL facility and the certification body came on site 2/year

 

Did they quote a section of the regulation?


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Lesley.Roberts

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Posted 25 October 2018 - 05:40 PM

Hi Scampi - unfortunately no regulation was quoted.

 

The letter was sent from certification body & included a link which takes you to an external ISO17025 laboratory & there was a quantity of text which indicated how samples should be taken, packed, labelled & sent.

 

Plus information on how to set up the receiving laboratory as a new supplier.

 

So, I do think the "testing" is a thing but I am still waiting to hear from the certification body for clarification of exactly what this entails.



FSQA

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Posted 25 October 2018 - 06:29 PM

This is something new.... verification of a "Halal Certified Product" by means of testing...(so just tagging along for learning experience):

 

Usually it is accomplished by means of a certification by the supplier, or by means of presence of  a Certified employee from a Halal certifying body (while Meat or any other allowed Processing).

The only possibility that I can imagine for testing is by means of analysis of the product, is by the presence of any prohibited chemical (e.g presence of Alcohol/etc.). 

 

What is the product you are handling for the certification process? 


Edited by FSQA, 25 October 2018 - 06:38 PM.


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Posted 25 October 2018 - 06:52 PM

I know here in Canada there were alot of companies claiming Halal without products actually being certified, so it's probably an international issue..........

 

The certifying company we had also had to verify that the slaughterer was Muslim (but they didn't care if he actually faced east)

 

They were well regarded within the Muslim community here, so no issue with being legitimate

 

But back to the testing, like FSQA mentioned, no alcohol involved plus these others..........so I would assume the lab is going to test for these things

 

All foods are considered halal except the following (which are haram):

  • Alcoholic drinks and intoxicants
  • Non-Halal Animal Fat
  • Enzymes* (Microbial Enzymes are permissible)
  • Gelatine* – from non-Halal source (fish gelatine is Halal)
  • L-cysteine (if from human hair)
  • Lard
  • Lipase* (only animal lipase need be avoided)
  • Non-Halal Animal Shortening
  • Pork, Bacon / Ham and anything from pigs
  • Unspecified Meat Broth
  • Rennet* (All forms should be avoided except for plant / microbial /
  • synthetic – rennet obtained from halal slaughtered animal is
  • permissible).
  • Stock* (a blend of mix species broth or meat stock)
  • Tallow* (non-Halal species)
  • Carnivorous animals, birds of prey and certain other animals
  • Foods contaminated with any of the above products
  • https://www.icv.org....or-non-muslims/

 

 

I am going to add my own word of caution here (and you may have to read between the lines) be wary.........I would call your CB and speak to them directly to ensure you really need to do this.........we had a halal CB who was profiting from the lack of real information out there.....and everytime we turned around they were increasing fees by 20% at a time 

 

What standard are you working toward (or your sister company)


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Lesley.Roberts

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Posted 25 October 2018 - 07:04 PM

Scampi - I think you have really hit the nail on the head..... because "authenticity" testing is expensive & my view is that this is an additional money earner.

 

If the products (and process) have been judged as compliant & the site & products are Halal accredited, why would there suddenly be a need to send every single product included on the Halal certificate for testing annually?........

 

There is a stringent auditing programme for all suppliers & cloud based supplier approval documentation is regularly reviewed & updated.

 

The certification body is ISWA (based in USA) 

 

Our company produce freeze dried fruit only, no additives, no preservatives  - and you could tell at a glance that an incoming strawberry is a strawberry... it couldn't ever imitate a tomato!!.

 

There are no plans to extend to any other product type - no allergens on site - allergen control is rigorously enforced & in my view the risk is negligible to non existent. 



FSQA

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Posted 25 October 2018 - 07:16 PM

The certification body is ISWA (based in USA) 

 

Our company produce freeze dried fruit only, no additives, no preservatives  - and you could tell at a glance that an incoming strawberry is a strawberry... it couldn't ever imitate a tomato!!.

 

In this case, you can ask your supplier for a (halal) certification and satisfy your certifying body (ISWA) that no additives or preservatives are added, so the product establishes the same properties as certified by your supplier. This can be verified by your product labeling and your process flow charts. But i agree with Scampi above, you should talk to the CB directly.

 

 

There are no plans to extend to any other product type - no allergens on site - allergen control is rigorously enforced & in my view the risk is negligible to non existent. 

IMO; they should not be concerned for Allergen control, as their part is for the Halal certification only.



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Scampi

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Posted 25 October 2018 - 07:34 PM

So after browsing their website...........it seems to me someone has made a very costly business decision by choosing this company........it would appear that they are demanding the stars and moon in order to be able to stay certified

 

I would be calling your sister company and set up a conference call.........this is a ridiculous request.

 

Testing Requirements

Testing: Testing is a requirement in order to keep in good standing with your certification. All companies must send samples of their Halal products, obtain the test results from an ISO 17025 accredited lab and send ISWA a copy of the test results minimum once a year. The prices of tests vary depending upon the type of product you produce. The cost of the tests are separate from the membership fee (all testing costs will be invoiced and paid to the lab directly). ISWA does not send invoices for testing.

We work with the following lab which is ISO 17025 Accredited:

  • Genetic ID
  • 504 North Fourth Street
  • Ste 102
  • Fairfield, IA 52556
  • Phone: 641-472-9979 Ext. 0
  • Email: info@genetic-id.com

 

You can check out the information on Halal Testing

Compressed Air Testing: If you use compressed air in the manufacturing process of your Halal products, air quality testing is recommended. While it is not a requirement, compressed air quality testing may directly impact the cleanliness and quality of your product. Companies may send air samples to an ISO 17025 accredited lab for analysis and send ISWA a copy of test results.

We work with the following lab which is ISO 17025 Accredited:

  • Trace Analytics, LLC
  • 15768 Hamilton Pool Rd.
  • Austin, TX 78738
  • Phone: 512-263-0000 Ext. 5
  • Email: sales@airchecklab.com

 

Use Promo Code: USHALALCOC for 10% off your first test
Find information on compressed air testing here


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