Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday defended his government’s recent decision to ban the sale and purchase of halal-certified products in the state, alleging that such certificates are being “misused for terrorism, love jihad and religious conversion”. He said, “While buying any item, make sure to check whether it has a Halal certification label or not. We have banned it in Uttar Pradesh. Today no one will dare to buy or sell it in Uttar Pradesh.”
While buying items from the market, you will see that ‘Halal’ is written on many products. Many people are often confused as to why some vegetarian foods have Halal certification whereas Halal is usually associated with meat. Let us tell you what is the real meaning of Halal certificate and why it is written on veg items.
What is Halal?
First of all understand what is halal. Halal means that the animal has been slaughtered in a specific Islamic manner (Zabah), in which certain rules such as reciting prayer before slaughter, using a sharp knife, complete bleeding have been followed. Apart from this, Halal means that the food does not contain any haram thing such as alcohol, pork or its products, or any part of any animal not slaughtered in a halal manner.
Why Halal tag on veg products?
Real Halal certification is not just about non-veg. Basically it ensures that the food is in accordance with Islamic dietary laws. Ingredients that are added to vegetarian items, such as biscuits, chips, or cold drinks, may contain ingredients that are derived from animals and are not “halal” (permissible) according to Islamic rules. Like some flavors in veg products are made from animals. Emulsifiers and stabilizers are used for mixing and thickening, and may sometimes use animal sources that are not halal.
Halal certification guarantees that all the ingredients used in a veg item, or the way it is made and handled, are in accordance with Islamic dietary laws. This certification proves that the food has not been accidentally adulterated with non-Halal ingredients, and that no ingredients like alcohol or non-Halal gelatin have been used in its preparation. This certification gives Muslim consumers the confidence to consume the product without worry, and helps companies reach larger markets.
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