Canadian and American Partners in Halal Certification
For over 50 years, ISA has been a leader in Halal certification. Based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, we are a fully accredited, internationally recognized agency serving clients across the United States. We work with our Canadian partner company, Halal Montreal Certification Authority (HMCA), to provide certification and auditing services that support the development of North America as a Halal food production and export hub.
Halal Montreal Certification Authority was founded as a family business in 2008 in Québec, Canada. In 2018, HMCA changed ownership and management, partnering with ISA while remaining Canada-based and Canadian-owned. This alliance strengthens the ability of both companies to serve North America, with clients across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Now based in Brossard, Québec, HMCA has audit teams located across the country and offers fully bilingual services, including French-language documentation.
HMCA supports businesses serving Canada’s large Muslim population and the growing demand for Halal food and restaurants. The Canadian Halal market is projected to reach a value of over 4.39 billion USD by 2029, driven by both the Canadian Muslim community of approximately 1.7 million people, as well as by many non-Muslim consumers who are interested in the ethical and safety aspects that Halal certification provides. While the concept of Halal is rooted in religious principles, many consumers now seek it out for its higher standards of purity and traceability. Hotels catering to tourists from Muslim-majority countries are also interested in providing Halal options that meet the dietary needs of travelers. While Halal options are available in large urban centers such as Montreal and Ottawa, choices in small cities and rural areas are extremely limited. The concept of Halal, and especially rigorously audited and certified Halal food, is still relatively new in some areas, but the demand is there. The increasing availability of online shopping options has also helped drive demand by allowing consumers to purchase at least some types of Halal products from almost anywhere, even if fresh food and restaurant options remain scarce.
Demand for Halal is not limited to food. While meat, dairy, and prepared food products represent one of the biggest areas, consumers also look for Halal-certified pharmaceuticals, supplements, cosmetics, personal care products, clothing, and more. HMCA can help your Canadian business grow with all of these product types.
HMCA Business Director Younes Baaja notes that, “Like ISA, HMCA is accredited by the governments of Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia, and is also a founding member of the World Halal Food Council. These highly sought-after accreditations enable businesses certified by HMCA to access and export to some of the world’s most strictly regulated and high-demand halal markets.
In addition, HMCA certification is widely recognized across numerous international regions, including North America (Canada and the United States), Europe, the Middle East and Gulf States, Southeast Asia and the Philippines, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, and South America.
This alignment between HMCA and ISA reflects a shared commitment to maintaining rigorous halal standards, facilitating international trade, and supporting businesses in navigating diverse regulatory environments. Together, their recognized certifications help build consumer trust and open doors to global market opportunities.’’
If your Canadian business is interested in meeting consumer demand for Halal certified food, cosmetics, and more anywhere in Canada and beyond, HMCA is here to help. Curious about obtaining Halal certification for your products? Click here to submit an inquiry form with HMCA.