U.P. Halal certificate ban

U.P. Halal certificate ban

Context:

• Recently, the Uttar Pradesh Government’s Food Security and Drug Administration banned the “manufacture, sale, storage and distribution of halal­certified products with immediate effect”.
• Halal, an Arabic term, means ‘permissible’, as opposed to notions of haram (prohibited) in Islam.
• A halal certificate means the product is fit to be consumed by followers of the faith.
• It is particularly relevant for meat items and is considered essential while exporting meat to Muslim countries.
• Following the order, units of police raided various malls across U.P. to seize any halal products.

Why was it banned?

• The quick action to raid malls followed a complaint lodged in Lucknow by an office bearer of the youth wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wherein the complainant accused several halal certifying outfits of issuing “forged” certificates to “increase their sale among a certain community”.
• They, in the process, violated “public trust” and created “social animosity”, it was alleged.
• Though many read in the government’s step, yet another action aimed at marginalising the State’s Muslim community, the government insisted it had acted according to the law and fair trade practices.

How are halal certificates issued?

• Halal certificates are given by the Jamiat Ulama­i­Hind’s Halal Unit and the Halal Shariat Islamic Law Board, both of whom have been cleared by the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies.
• While the Shariat Islamic Law Board enjoys permission for certifying food products, the Jamiat’s unit can certify only meat. These agencies have slammed the decision to ban Halal­certified products.

What about export products?

• Significantly, the ban was imposed only on sales, manufacture and storage within Uttar Pradesh and not meant for export products.
• “As of now, there is no ban on Halal certification for export products.

What has the government done?

• Within a week of the announcement of the ban, the State government gave a belated breathing period to all concerned.
• It allowed retailers 15 days to withdraw any such food items from their shelves.
  • It asked the 92 state­based manufacturers who had been getting halal certification from non­certified organisations, to recall and repackage their products.

Syllabus: Prelims + Mains; GS II – Governance