UP (India) Bans Sale Of Halal-Certified Products With Immediate Effect

[MenInG]

The Uttar Pradesh government today banned products with a halal tag. Production, storage, distribution, and sale of food products with the Halal certification has been forbidden with immediate effect, said the state government. Products manufactured for export, however, will not be subject to the restrictions.
"Strict legal measures will be implemented against any individual or firm engaged in the production, storage, distribution, buying, and selling of Halal-certified medicines, medical devices, and cosmetics within Uttar Pradesh," an official order said.

Halal certification of food products is a parallel system which creates confusion regarding the quality of food items and is not tenable under Section 89 of the Food Law Food Safety and Standards Act, the order said. "The right to decide the quality of food items lies only with the authorities and institutions given in Section 29 of the said Act, who check the relevant standards as per the provisions of the Act", it added.

It said that certain medicines, medical devices, and cosmetic products are reported to feature the Halal certificate on their packaging or labelling when there are "no provisions for marking Halal certification on labels in the government rules related to drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics", nor is there any mention of Halal certification in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and its related rules.

The move comes after a police case was filed against a company and a few other organisations for allegedly "exploiting people's religious sentiments" to boost sales by providing "forged" halal certificates.

The case has been registered against entities such as the Halal India Private Limited Chennai, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust Delhi, Halal Council of India Mumbai, Jamiat Ulama Maharashtra and others for allegedly exploiting religious sentiments to boost sales by providing halal certificates to customers of a specific religion, the UP government said in a statement.

The complainant raised concerns over a large-scale conspiracy, indicating attempts to allegedly decrease the sale of products from companies lacking the halal certificate, which is illegal, the UP government said.

The statement said that these companies allegedly issued forged halal certificates to various companies for financial gains, fostering not only social animosity but also violating public trust.

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust, in a statement, termed the allegations as "baseless" and said it will take "necessary legal measures to counter such misinformation".

Halal certification is mentioned on the labels of certain food products like dairy products, sugar bakery products, peppermint oil, salty ready-to-eat savouries and edible oils etc, the food commissioner's office said.

Halal certification is a guarantee that the food is prepared in accordance with Islamic law and is unadulterated. If a product contains animals or animal byproducts that are considered prohibited under the law, then it cannot receive a halal certification.

Specifically, halal foods are those that are made, produced, manufactured, processed, and stored using machinery, equipment, and/or utensils that have been cleaned according to Islamic law and are free from any component that Muslims are prohibited from eating.

NDTV

 

[Bewal Express]

The Uttar Pradesh government today banned products with a halal tag. Production, storage, distribution, and sale of food products with the Halal certification has been forbidden with immediate effect, said the state government. Products manufactured for export, however, will not be subject to the restrictions.
"Strict legal measures will be implemented against any individual or firm engaged in the production, storage, distribution, buying, and selling of Halal-certified medicines, medical devices, and cosmetics within Uttar Pradesh," an official order said.

Halal certification of food products is a parallel system which creates confusion regarding the quality of food items and is not tenable under Section 89 of the Food Law Food Safety and Standards Act, the order said. "The right to decide the quality of food items lies only with the authorities and institutions given in Section 29 of the said Act, who check the relevant standards as per the provisions of the Act", it added.

It said that certain medicines, medical devices, and cosmetic products are reported to feature the Halal certificate on their packaging or labelling when there are "no provisions for marking Halal certification on labels in the government rules related to drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics", nor is there any mention of Halal certification in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and its related rules.

The move comes after a police case was filed against a company and a few other organisations for allegedly "exploiting people's religious sentiments" to boost sales by providing "forged" halal certificates.

The case has been registered against entities such as the Halal India Private Limited Chennai, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust Delhi, Halal Council of India Mumbai, Jamiat Ulama Maharashtra and others for allegedly exploiting religious sentiments to boost sales by providing halal certificates to customers of a specific religion, the UP government said in a statement.

The complainant raised concerns over a large-scale conspiracy, indicating attempts to allegedly decrease the sale of products from companies lacking the halal certificate, which is illegal, the UP government said.

The statement said that these companies allegedly issued forged halal certificates to various companies for financial gains, fostering not only social animosity but also violating public trust.

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust, in a statement, termed the allegations as "baseless" and said it will take "necessary legal measures to counter such misinformation".

Halal certification is mentioned on the labels of certain food products like dairy products, sugar bakery products, peppermint oil, salty ready-to-eat savouries and edible oils etc, the food commissioner's office said.

Halal certification is a guarantee that the food is prepared in accordance with Islamic law and is unadulterated. If a product contains animals or animal byproducts that are considered prohibited under the law, then it cannot receive a halal certification.

Specifically, halal foods are those that are made, produced, manufactured, processed, and stored using machinery, equipment, and/or utensils that have been cleaned according to Islamic law and are free from any component that Muslims are prohibited from eating.

NDTV

So would it not have been better to setup a proper system than to ban it. Or would the ideological reasons behind it have stopped a common sense approach for these losers.

 

[sweep_shot]

They are banning "halal". What's next?

Terrible decision.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Stupid to ban religious products. If someone wants to use halal certified products, it’s their choice and Government has no business in it.

 

[daytrader]

Stupid to ban religious products. If someone wants to use halal certified products, it’s their choice and Government has no business in it.

Who determines what is halal though? It's straight forward in a Muslim country, the government takes responsibility however, in non-muslim countries, who is certifying the product is an issue. There's lots of bogus organizations set up giving out halal certifications.

 

[JaDed]

There is an issue but lol at the reaction of the government, not surprised though.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Three issues here:

Random private organisations are issuing certificates when law, doesn't allow it.

Secondly they are issuing certificates to whatever products they want.

Thirdly there is arm twisting going on behind the scenes by these organisations, so that they can garner funds from more and more manufacturers by labelling their products halal.


If at all any certificate has to be issued, it has to come from the government and not some pvt organisation.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Three issues here:

Random private organisations are issuing certificates when law, doesn't allow it.

Secondly they are issuing certificates to whatever products they want.

Thirdly there is arm twisting going on behind the scenes by these organisations, so that they can garner funds from more and more manufacturers by labelling their products halal.


If at all any certificate has to be issued, it has to come from the government and not some pvt organisation.

You are issuing statement as if you are representative of BJP

 

[DeadlyVenom]

You are issuing statement as if you are representative of BJP

Im not sure in what universe we would have a BJP government ministry responsible for checking if meat is halal or not.

 

[Bewal Express]

Three issues here:

Random private organisations are issuing certificates when law, doesn't allow it.

Secondly they are issuing certificates to whatever products they want.

Thirdly there is arm twisting going on behind the scenes by these organisations, so that they can garner funds from more and more manufacturers by labelling their products halal.


If at all any certificate has to be issued, it has to come from the government and not some pvt organisation.

So why not do it. Get people together and make the life of the consumer easier. But you know as well as this has nothing to do with, they are desperate to make life harder, not easier.

 

[cricketjoshila]

So why not do it. Get people together and make the life of the consumer easier. But you know as well as this has nothing to do with, they are desperate to make life harder, not easier.

These organisations were arm twisting manufacturers that they have to take certificate from them else Muslims won't buy their products.

This is blackmail.

The government has to decide which products need certificates and whether FSSAI or another government organisation will issue the certificate

 

[Bewal Express]

These organisations were arm twisting manufacturers that they have to take certificate from them else Muslims won't buy their products.

This is blackmail.

The government has to decide which products need certificates and whether FSSAI or another government organisation will issue the certificate

Why hasn't it done so already if its such an issue.

 

[cricketjoshila]

You are issuing statement as if you are representative of BJP

The government has banned this not BJP.

They have already issued statements regarding why this ban was announced.

And if pakistanis are so much interested in news about India its amusing how you get sensitive when an Indian replies.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Why hasn't it done so already if its such an issue.

Because cases were filed recently regarding this.This drew the attention of the authorities towards the behind the scenes arm twisting.And so the government was forced to act.

 

[Bewal Express]

Because cases were filed recently regarding this.This drew the attention of the authorities towards the behind the scenes arm twisting.And so the government was forced to act.

Let's see. So if that is the case, why not bring people together because the cases wouldnt have come overnight. Could they not organise a meeting with all the stakeholders and get a policy together. But we know the real reason

 

[cricketjoshila]

Let's see. So if that is the case, why not bring people together because the cases wouldnt have come overnight. Could they not organise a meeting with all the stakeholders and get a policy together. But we know the real reason

What is the real reason?

The government has to decide which items need halal certification and which organisation will do it.

They need to ask the minority commission to give a report on which items need certificates.

And then ask FSSAI to do the certification.

 

[Bewal Express]

What is the real reason?

The government has to decide which items need halal certification and which organisation will do it.

They need to ask the minority commission to give a report on which items need certificates.

And then ask FSSAI to do the certification.

To make life hard for Muslims. As if you didn't know

 

[cricketjoshila]

To make life hard for Muslims. As if you didn't know

Lol.

If government wants there are 100 subtle things they can do to make life difficult.

Like enforcing the Supreme Court ban on loudspeakers in mosques.

This ban on random private organisations giving certificates is to control the arm twisting.

 

[Bewal Express]

Lol.

If government wants there are 100 subtle things they can do to make life difficult.

Like enforcing the Supreme Court ban on loudspeakers in mosques.

This ban on random private organisations giving certificates is to control the arm twisting.

So are you saying its beyond the capabilites of the govt to get the stakeholders together before announcing the ban.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Stupid to ban religious products. If someone wants to use halal certified products, it’s their choice and Government has no business in it.

This is the govt your public voted for, they are carrying out these policies on your behalf.

 

[cricketjoshila]

So are you saying its beyond the capabilites of the govt to get the stakeholders together before announcing the ban.

Who stakeholders? There is a Minorities commission and they will likely be involved to get the guidelines.

You don't need to ask anyone before banning something that's illegal.

 

[Justcrazy]

You are issuing statement as if you are representative of BJP

BJP has a big IT cell , which will justify everything BJP does.

 

[IAJ]

I try to give Indians benefit of doubt, but my patience is running out now like many others. They keep making life difficult for muslims in the country and then you have their agents here supporting whatever they do.

 

[ghalib kichlu]

The government has banned this not BJP.

They have already issued statements regarding why this ban was announced.

And if pakistanis are so much interested in news about India its amusing how you get sensitive when an Indian replies.

Is yogi not part of the BJP
Sounds like someone wants a monopoly on all the pizza

 

[cricketjoshila]

BJP has a big IT cell , which will justify everything BJP does.

government took action because cases have been filed against private organisations issuing certificates and arm twisting manufacturers.

 

[cricketjoshila]

I try to give Indians benefit of doubt, but my patience is running out now like many others. They keep making life difficult for muslims in the country and then you have their agents here supporting whatever they do.

Did you read the article?

Random private organisations were issuing certificates.

They were arm twisting manufacturers to get certified or lose buyers.

Some people filed cases against this. The government had no choice but to act.

 

[Justcrazy]

government took action because cases have been filed against private organisations issuing certificates and arm twisting manufacturers.

My statement is not based on one comment , it is based across threads.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Did you read the article?

Random private organisations were issuing certificates.

They were arm twisting manufacturers to get certified or lose buyers.

Some people filed cases against this. The government had no choice but to act.

Why could the govt not have acted against those specific companies instead of banning Halal certified products outright? It should also be noted that according to that article, those allegations you are mentioning have been called baseless by at least one of those companies cited. Given the rush to ban ALL halal certified products it does seem that the hindutva govt is making a spiteful call so you can understand why there might be doubt cast on their motives.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Why could the govt not have acted against those specific companies instead of banning Halal certified products outright? It should also be noted that according to that article, those allegations you are mentioning have been called baseless by at least one of those companies cited. Given the rush to ban ALL halal certified products it does seem that the hindutva govt is making a spiteful call so you can understand why there might be doubt cast on their motives.

Why should they act against those companies?

Which law have they broken?

How can any private organisation issue certificates on foods or cosmetics etc? Under which law?

How can a private organisation arm twist manufacturers to get paid certificates from them or lose buyers?

Ofcourse the accused will call allegations baseless. No?

How can a private organisation decide which products need halal certification?

Threatening manufacturers to get Halal certification for soaps lotions toothpaste honey etc or lose buyers is illegal.

Meat etc are still going to be halal certified but to try and extend it every consumable product isn't going to work in a country where the majority are not Muslims.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Why should they act against those companies?

Which law have they broken?

How can any private organisation issue certificates on foods or cosmetics etc? Under which law?

How can a private organisation arm twist manufacturers to get paid certificates from them or lose buyers?

Ofcourse the accused will call allegations baseless. No?

How can a private organisation decide which products need halal certification?

Threatening manufacturers to get Halal certification for soaps lotions toothpaste honey etc or lose buyers is illegal.

Meat etc are still going to be halal certified but to try and extend it every consumable product isn't going to work in a country where the majority are not Muslims.

You are making little sense.

Is all Halal food banned in UP now? Or are some companies being sanctioned but others with halal certificates are still trading?

 

[cricketjoshila]

You are making little sense.

Is all Halal food banned in UP now? Or are some companies being sanctioned but others with halal certificates are still trading?

Only meat related products are allowed for halal certification presently and that's continuing as per law.

This practice of private organisations giving certificates to other consumables is banned.

 

[cricketjoshila]

My statement is not based on one comment , it is based across threads.

Why does BJP needs to justify anything to pakistanis? For what purpose?

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

You are making little sense.

Is all Halal food banned in UP now? Or are some companies being sanctioned but others with halal certificates are still trading?

I still don't understand what is going on there, or who is banning and on what basis. Maybe the article has not been written that clearly, but it seems to imply that a hindutva govt is deciding what can be passed as halal/haram. Also seems to imply that halal meat has been banned across the board in UP regardless.

 

[JaDed]

The government should sit down and make one UP halal board and let them know what products can be certified. Randomly giving halal certificates is stupid as well, I have talked about how this could be misused even before 3-4 years as I have seen it.

All should sit down and come to a sensible agreement.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Indian Muslims are a weak people. They are a subservient race now. They will cease to exist within 200 years.

 

[JaDed]

Indian Muslims are a weak people. They are a subservient race now. They will cease to exist within 200 years.

There are more in number and percentage than 1947.. they will be a poll defining force in 5 years.

 

[daytrader]

"Admire Muslims Who...": Minister Says Hindus Must Stick To 'Jhatka' Meat
"The Hindu way of slaughter is jhatka. Whenever Hindus perform 'bali' (animal sacrifice), they do so in a single stroke. As such, they must not corrupt themselves by eating halal meat. They must always stick to jhatka," said Mr Singh.

Begusarai, Bihar: Union Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh on Sunday said Hindus should give up eating halal meat and consume only 'jhatka', the flesh of animals slaughtered by a single blow of the blade.
Mr Singh, a senior BJP leader, made a plea to the effect in his Begusarai parliamentary constituency where he also made his supporters take the pledge that they will henceforth not spoil their 'dharma' by eating halal meat.

he said, "I admire the Muslims who make it a point to consume only halal meat. Now Hindus should demonstrate a similar commitment to their own religious traditions."

"The Hindu way of slaughter is jhatka. Whenever Hindus perform 'bali' (animal sacrifice), they do so in a single stroke. As such, they must not corrupt themselves by eating halal meat. They must always stick to jhatka," said Mr Singh.

NDTV