Islamic dietary laws define foods that are Halal, meaning lawful or permitted. Muslims avoid food and beverages that are Haram, meaning not permitted. If one does not know the Halal or Haram status of a particular food or drink, such a food or drink is doubtful. A practicing Muslims prevents himself from consuming such doubtful food and drink. This is the reason why more and more restaurants and hospitals are trying to obtain ‘halal’ certificate from Halal Certification Authority.
Global Health City is the first in the country to receive ‘Halal’ certification while other leading hospitals like Apollo, Fortis Mehta and Lifeline Hospitals have also sent applications for the certification. The hospitals are trying to obtain halal certification in order to boost patients’ confidence and also to make the Muslim customers feel at home. The halal certification would guarantee ‘halal’ meat in food and ‘quiblah’ signs in every room and prayer hall.
Halal India is one of the established Halal certification body in India, which issues Halal compliance certification and deals with food, cosmetics and drugs as per the Shariah law.
In terms of meat, halal applies to the kind of meat (pork is banned), their health condition and the way they are killed. Muslims should only eat meat from livestock slaughtered by a sharp knife from their necks, and the name of Allah, the Arabic word for God, must be mentioned. To ensure the meat used in the hospitals and restaurants is ‘halal,’ officials from Halal India visit the slaughter house from where the meat is purchased and inspect the procedure.
To earn the certification, the hospitals and restaurants have to meet strict Islamic guidelines dealing with hygiene and dietary regulations of global standards.
The certification is becoming more relevant in today’s market mainly because people are more aware of the Halal concept. In today’s booming Halal industry, many businesses are seeking to have their products, premises, factories, merchandise and cervices to be ‘halal’ certified.
This also shows the influence of Muslim concept of halal has on the industries, if Muslims insist on halal food and halal products and boycott doubtful products; industries would be bound to provide halal food and products to its Muslim customers.