Halal Certification for the Edible Oil Industry
Catania Oils, founded as a family company in 1900 and now a major supplier of high-quality cooking oils, recently had 61 of their products certified Halal by Islamic Services of America. We sat down with marketing specialist Anne Whitney to find out how certification is expected to benefit their company.
Many of Catania’s products already carried USDA Organic, Non-GMO, Kosher, and other quality certifications. For Catania, obtaining Halal certification added another layer of quality assurance for customers and ensured that their products, which include everything from olive to coconut to apricot kernel oil – are accessible to as many people as possible. All products undergo multi-step quality testing and Catania prides itself on the consistent high-quality of their products. Seeking third-party verification of their process and sourcing simply supports their focus of complete customer satisfaction and fits well with their philosophy.
Part of the reason that Catania has sought so many quality certifications is the adulteration scandals that have plagued the edible oil industry. News of cheap producers and importers cutting corners and selling falsely labeled products can hurt high-quality producers by degrading consumer trust in the industry as a whole, an issue that has been particularly challenging for olive oil. To combat this, Catania finds every possible opportunity to add more quality certifications, each one representing “another set of eyes on the process.” Whitney stressed that having multiple certifications in place is key. While many of their products have other quality certifications, they found that Halal certification offers a valuable level of verification and product compliance for customers. Each certifier independently looks at their process and deems it acceptable, building a robust confidence in their products. Additionally, in our interview with Ms. Whitney she mentioned, “Eventually we sought Halal certification because several customers requested for it.”
As a result, one of the biggest benefits that Catania expects to see is greater peace of mind for consumers. Since oils are often a major component of foods and beauty products and are either consumed or placed directly on the skin, purity and healthfulness are particularly important. Customer satisfaction is their top priority, and they feel that seeking Halal certification is well worth it to be able to offer complete assurance that their products are pure, healthful, and contain exactly what they say they do. And, since Halal certification is less common among US-based food companies, it offers Catania a unique distinction in the market. They have more opportunities to sell to both food and beauty product companies, such as Halal restaurants or Halal-certified cosmetic companies. Because they are a bulk supplier, the ability to showcase this certification is even more valuable as it allows buyers to meet the wide range of needs and preferences of their own customers.
Whitney explained that what initially interested Catania in Islamic Services of America as a potential Halal certifier was their sincerity about what they do. Throughout the process, ISA provided assistance and advice to ensure that Catania could receive certification as timely and accurately as possible.
Curious about how Halal certification could benefit your business? Please reach out to us at ISA today. We are happy to answer any questions and guide you throughout the process.