How to Spot a Trusted Halal Certification Logo
While it will be nice to believe that all food manufacturers are honest and transparent, unfortunately, this is not always the case. Fake Halal logos have become a growing concern, creating a sense of fear and mistrust among Halal consumers. Here are our top recommendations to spot a trustworthy Halal certification logo:
Note how the ISA circular logo clearly states the full name of the organization - Islamic Services of America - as well as its location in Iowa, U.S.A., and the founding year of 1975. This makes it easy to confirm that the certifier is legitimate. Then, you can check out the certifier’s website. They will typically list companies that they Halal certify, so you can verify that the product of interest is in fact Halal. Alternatively, some seals may not include the full name of the certifier, but are sufficiently unique that they can be easily recognized in a simpler format - for example, ISA’s triangular logo enclosing a capital H.
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Check that the named certifier is accredited by global Halal governing bodies.
For example, ISA is accredited by JAKIM (Malaysia), BPJPH (Indonesia), MUIS (Singapore), HAK (Turkey), EIAC (UAE), CICOT (Thailand), and GAC (UAE). Broad international recognition is a good indicator that a Halal certifier applies and adheres to rigorous Halal standards. For example, Malaysia is known for having some of the most stringent Halal standards in the world, and recognizes only certifying bodies from other countries that meet its strict standards. In fact, Malaysia does not even allow import of meat and packaged products unless they have been certified by an approved certifier. ISA is recognized by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), a clear sign that this certification is trustworthy.
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Check that the certifier has a robust online presence.
Does the website include detailed information about the company, their processes, products they currently certify, accreditation, and contact information? If you do not see a phone number, email, and physical location for the company, be very cautious about the trustworthiness of the logo. That information covers the basics, but most reputable certifiers will offer additional information such as Halal-related news, informational articles, and answers to frequently asked questions.
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Look out for signs of fake logos, such as very vague logos, poor printing quality, and misspellings.
For example, the word “Halal” in English or Arabic surrounded by a circle can be added by anyone - this does not indicate that the product was evaluated and approved by an actual Halal certification body. Same for a crescent moon or the product simply being described as “Halal” or “Muslim-friendly.” Misspellings are certainly an indicator of a false logo, since companies working with a legitimate certifier will always ensure the correct seal is used. Finally, while poor or fuzzy printing does not always prove that a Halal certification logo is fake, it can be an indication that it is worth double checking.
In some cases, a manufacturer may genuinely believe that their product meets Halal guidelines, but in today’s world of complex ingredients and long supply chains, this does not ensure that the product is truly Halal compliant. Only a thorough audit by an accredited Halal certifier can make this determination.
Islamic Services of America (ISA) offers a variety of logos, including several triangle-shaped logos that enclose a capital H. Though they do not state the full name of ISA, they are distinctive and easily differentiated from the generic circular “Halal” labels. Finding trustworthy Halal products can be difficult at first, but these tips will make it easy to find brands and certifiers you can depend on.
Islamic Services of America (ISA) is a leading USA based Halal certification and auditing organization serving companies, the community, and the Halal certification industry for over 50 years. Contact ISA at isa@isahalal.com or send your initial inquiry to Halal certify your products at https://isahalal.com/contact or visit the ISA website for more information at https://isahalal.com/. All images used on this blog are exclusively licensed from www.istock.com. Any false claims regarding the ownership of these images will result in legal action and prosecution.