It seems that Halal is a hot topic on a national news level, which has confused many on what criteria is required for food to be deemed Halal and furthermore what the difference between HMC and HFC the two major Halal accreditation organisations is.
Asian World contacted both of them to try and put some clarity to this hot topic.
We asked them both the same questions.
Please can you tell the Asian World readers why you exist and when you started?
HFA answer
Halal Food Authority was launched in 1994 to monitor and authenticate meat and poultry in the UK. HFA started its operations with authenticating and certifying butchers and meat shops in London. In late 90’s HFA also started certification schemes for food manufacturers and processors.
HMC answer
The Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC) is an independent, not-for-profit, registered charity organisation whose main aim is to certify the production of genuine Halal food. HMC complies with the UK Laws for food production, as well as Islamic dietary compliance Laws.
Are you supported by the government authorities and a national recognised body for halal?
HFA answer
HFA is not funded by (or receive any financial support from) government or local authorities. However, HFA is recognised, endorsed and supported by government regulatory and enforcement authorities, while being recognised by all major national and international halal certification bodies.
HMC answer
We are recognised by Government bodies such as Food Standards Agency (FSA) and English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX) as well as other organisations as one of the largest Halal certification organisations in the UK.
What are the benefits to your accreditation? Are there any negatives?
HFC answer
We have a registered logo includes enhanced consumer confidence, product recognition in national and international halal market and added value to the supply chain facilitating suppliers and consumers with varied choice of authentic halal products.
HMC answer
HMC provides a monitoring and inspection system from the abattoir all the way to the outlet that helps provide confidence to the consumers in the Halal product.
HMC certified products are accepted by all Muslim communities no matter what background or school of thought they follow as our standards do not include any controversial method.
HMC provides access to the vast potential of Halal market on a global scale.
HMC recognition also provides export opportunities to the global market, comprising of approximately 1.6 billion Muslim consumers.
What is the difference between HFA and HMC?
HFC answer
There should not be a difference in the objectives of HFA and HMC; however difference in opinion and modus operandi is prevalent in the UK halal industry. As per our knowledge and experience these differences do, in fact, exist in almost all non-Muslim country.
HMC answer
HMC is governed by a national board of Ulama and Scholars who sit on the HMC National Executive Committee
HMC Inspectors are present all the time during HMC production at the slaughterhouse
HMC does not accept stunning
HMC does not accept machine slaughter
HMC Inspectors visit butchers and takeaways at least four times a week to check on the Halal stock being sold to consumers
HMC employs 10 times more staff than HFA
Do you have a good working relationship with your competitor?
HFC answer
We always endeavour to have good working relationship with all the stake holders in halal industry. Despite claiming to understand Islamic ethos, some organisations like to create aversion, hence damaging their own integrity and healthy competition.
HMC answer
HMC does not see HFA as a competitor. HMC is carrying out work to help the Muslim community eat genuine Halal and it is seen as a religious duty. Others, who may be doing this work, are also hopefully doing it for the same reasons albeit in different ways.
After all the negative press about harm food making its way into halal food/ingredients where do you think the future lies for halal ?
HFC answer
Recent incidents have been a whistle-blower for the halal industry and construed to be a breach of trust on the part of meat suppliers’ and procurers. Standards and procedures are being tightened up by almost all regulatory and enforcement authorities, certification bodies, manufacturers and even distributors to include extra checks and controls on meat plants handling multiple species, DNA checks, testing and monitoring, samples analysis, more vigorous audit regimes and protocols, profound investigation of meat supply chain, removal of pork derivatives and pork processing from halal approved sites, unannounced surveillance visits at processing and distribution sites etc.
HMC answer
What we have learned from the horse-meat and the haram being mixed with halal scandals is that the Muslim community needs to support organisations like HMC who provide independent inspectors throughout the food chain. Muslim Inspectors independent from the slaughterhouse and independent from the meat trade need to watch over the process from start to finish, ensuring integrity and security of Halal products.
By Emb Hashmi
