In a recent move, the Uttar Pradesh government has instituted a ban on the Halal certification of various food products, including dairy products, sugar, bakery items, peppermint oil, namkeen (savory snacks), and food oil. The decision, announced by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, comes in response to the alleged misuse of Halal certification on these items.
It has been observed that Halal certification is being applied to a range of products, raising concerns within the government. Notably, a food safety and standards act was formalized in 2006, designating the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Indian Standards Institute (ISI) as the entities responsible for checking food quality. According to the act, Halal certification on food products was declared illegal in the state.
Under the new directive, those found engaging in the Halal certification of products, in violation of the food safety and standards act, will face legal consequences. Offenders will be booked under section 30 (2) (d) of the act. It’s important to note that the ban does not apply to products intended for export.
Additionally, the additional chief secretary for food safety and drug administration has instructed the food commissioner to extend the ban to include medicines, medical equipment, cosmetics, their storage, sale, and marketing if they bear Halal certification.
This development reflects the state government’s commitment to enforcing existing food safety regulations and ensuring compliance with established standards. The ban aims to address concerns related to the appropriate certification of food products within the state of Uttar Pradesh.
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