In a significant development, the Uttar Pradesh government has issued a ban on the production, storage, distribution, and sale of food, medicines, and cosmetic items carrying halal certification, effective immediately. The decision, attributed to public health interests and the aim to avoid confusion, was communicated through an order from the Uttar Pradesh Food Commissioner.
The order explicitly states, “In the interest of public health, production, storing, distribution, and sale of halal certified edible items are banned in Uttar Pradesh with immediate effect.”
Halal certification, a standard ensuring compliance with Islamic law, has been at the center of this regulatory move. The Commissioner’s order contends that the authority to determine the quality of food lies solely with entities designated under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The parallel system of halal certification, according to the order, creates confusion regarding food quality and is deemed inconsistent with the Act.
The government has underscored its commitment to taking strict actions against any violations of this ban. Notably, products with halal certification intended for export purposes have been exempted from the ban.
This decision comes on the heels of the Uttar Pradesh police filing multiple cases against various firms for allegedly selling ‘Halal certified’ products using fraudulent documentation. Entities such as Halal India Private Limited in Chennai, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust in Delhi, Halal Council of India in Mumbai, Jamiat Ulama Maharashtra, among others, have been named in the cases. The charges revolve around exploiting religious sentiments to bolster sales by providing halal certificates to customers of a specific religion.
The ban signals a proactive measure by the state government to address concerns related to the certification system and ensure the quality and authenticity of food products in the region.
