The American Halal Food Market

Criteria and Certifications for Exporting Islam-Compatible Food Products to the USA

In Islam, halal, meaning “permissible” in Arabic, refers to everything allowed in terms of clothing, behavior, language, and diet, as opposed to everything defined as haram, or “forbidden”.

In the West, the word is mainly used in the context of food to indicate foods permitted by Islamic law and prepared according to specific requirements. For Muslim culture, the purity of the soul is greatly influenced by the food consumed, which must meet certain purity standards. Halal foods provide essential nutrients, do not contain toxic substances or alcohol, are chewable and digestible, do not harm health, and most importantly, are slaughtered according to Sharia principles. Meat, except for pork which is absolutely forbidden as it is considered an impure animal, must adhere to very strict rules starting from the slaughtering methods, requiring the animal to arrive alive at the slaughterhouse without prior stunning, as it must be treated with dignity until the end of its life. The animal's death must be quick and painless, and the slaughtered meat must be handled carefully to avoid contamination with prohibited substances or products.

Although these practices are heavily debated by animal rights activists, who consider it cruel to require animals to remain conscious during bleeding, the aim of Islamic religion is to preserve the welfare of animals.

Muslims are the fastest-growing religious group, and after Christianity, Islam is the second-largest religion in the world, with predictions that the number of Muslims will surpass that of Christians by the end of the century. In the United States, there are about 3.5 million Muslims, making up 1.1% of the population, and demographic projections estimate they will represent 2.2% of American citizens by 2050. Given the current numbers, rapid expansion, and strict production and preservation rules, it is easy to see that Halal foods form a distinct market in the American food landscape.

But what needs to be done to make a product Islam-compatible? What certifications must a producer obtain to export a Halal product to the USA?

Halal certifications are quality certifications that ensure the ethical-religious compliance of systems, processes, services, and products with the requirements set by Islamic Sharia law. The process consists of various stages, beginning with gathering information and supporting documentation about the product, including details on the ingredients, which will be specified in the Halal Certification application submitted to a designated body, with a contract signed with that body, including a registration fee.

While waiting for inspectors to respond regarding registration, it is important not to forget to check that packaging and finished products in the storage area comply with the protocol. The documentation will be analyzed, highlighting any issues related to it. If the outcome is positive, a second phase will commence during which two auditors will visit the production facility, and if deemed compliant, the Halal certificate will be issued to the requesting company, allowing them to use the related mark on their products. The time required to obtain the certification is relatively short, thanks to a process with clear and shareable criteria, accessible even for those approaching the Halal world for the first time.

Naturally, to export Halal food to the United States, it is also necessary to register with the FDA and follow all relevant regulations.

Considering the not-too-complex process, the promising market, no longer limited to Muslim-majority countries, exporting Halal food to the United States can represent a forward-thinking and profitable business.