The Halal Food Foundation (HFF) has raised serious concerns about the misuse of the term halal in food labeling. The organization warns that self-certification is widespread in the UK, which can lead to inaccuracies, misrepresentations, and ultimately a loss of consumer confidence.

Some of the key questions the HFF suggests the industry must ask include:

• Has the entire production process been halal-approved?
• Are products free of non-halal additives and E-numbers?
• Are oils, fats, and emulsifiers 100% halal-sourced?

Zena Butt, Information Officer at HFF, stressed that these checks are vital to maintaining the integrity of halal labeling.

Saqib Mohammed, CEO of the Halal Food Authority, points out that self-certification is highly problematic. Merely placing the word halal on packaging does not guarantee authenticity. Without oversight by an independent, recognized halal certification body, products risk being misrepresented.

The Halal Food Authority strongly discourages self-certification and urges consumers to look for registered certification logos as proof of legitimacy.

Trust in halal meat labeling has been shaken before:

• In 2012, council mosques in Lancashire accused their local government of serving illegitimate halal meat in schools.

• In 2013, Westminster Council faced backlash after halal products supplied to schools were found to contain pork DNA.

These incidents underscore the risks when halal labeling is not strictly monitored and verified.

The misuse of the halal label has wide-ranging consequences:

• Erosion of Consumer Trust – Once broken, trust in halal labeling is difficult to restore.
• Loss of Business Opportunities – Companies failing to ensure authenticity risk losing access to the rapidly growing halal market.
• Industry Need for Collaboration – Greater transparency, shared standards, and stronger regulation are necessary to protect both businesses and consumers.

“The concerns raised by the Halal Food Foundation reflect a reality we see too often: the halal label is being diluted through misuse and weak oversight. For Muslim consumers, halal is not just a marketing term — it is a religious and ethical requirement.

At VERIHALAL, we believe that self-certification undermines this trust. That’s why we are building a system where halal claims are independently verified, and businesses can showcase their compliance openly.

The halal economy in the UK is growing, but it will only thrive if integrity is at the heart of labeling. Transparency isn’t optional — it’s the foundation of trust.”

Original reporting and insights from the Halal Food Foundation (HFF) and the Halal Food Authority. Read More .