Debate over Halal certification intensifies in UP; next SC hearing in March

The debate surrounding halal certification has reached the Supreme Court, with the Uttar Pradesh government expressing strong objections to the practice, particularly for non-meat products.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for 24 March 2025.

Representing the UP government, solicitor general Tushar Mehta raised concerns before a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Augustine George Masih.

Mehta stated he was “shocked” to discover that products like cement, iron bars, wheat flour (atta), and gram flour (besan) were being certified as halal—certifications traditionally associated with food prepared in accordance with Islamic law.

“So far as halal meat is concerned, nobody can have any objection. But your lordships would be shocked, as I was shocked, that even cement and iron bars used are to be halal-certified,” Mehta argued. “How can items like besan be halal or non-halal?” he argued.

Mehta also claimed that halal-certifying agencies were charging significant fees, potentially amounting to “a few lakh crore,” and questioned why non-believers should bear these additional costs.

The counsel representing the petitioners countered Mehta's claims, arguing that halal certification is a voluntary process and part of a lifestyle choice.

“Nobody is forcing anyone to opt for halal-certified products,” the petitioners' counsel asserted, adding that the Centre’s policy recognizes halal as voluntary. The Supreme Court bench noted the submissions and granted the petitioners four weeks to file a rejoinder.

The controversy stems from a notification issued by Uttar Pradesh’s Food Safety and Drug Administration on 18 November 2023. The order banned the “production, storage, distribution, and sale of halal-certified edible items” across the state, except for products intended for export. The notification cited provisions under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The term “halal” originates from Arabic and translates to “permissible.” According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, halal food adheres to Islamic dietary laws, ensuring it is permissible and free from impurities.

Halal certification extends beyond meat to various products, guaranteeing compliance with Islamic law during production and preparation. While the certification process is rooted in religious practices, it has grown into a broader commercial standard for businesses catering to Muslim consumers globally.

The Supreme Court will hear the case in the week commencing 24 March 2025. The court’s ruling could have far-reaching implications, not only for the halal certification industry but also for interfaith and business dynamics in the state and beyond.