What a halal logo means
A halal logo is a certification mark. It tells you that an independent organisation has checked how a product was made: the ingredients, any meat and how it was slaughtered, and how the factory keeps halal and non-halal production apart. The organisation usually audits the business regularly and can withdraw its logo.
That is different from:
- The word "halal" on its own, which anyone can print in the UK, because halal is not a legally protected term.
- "Halal suitable" or "suitable for Muslims", which is usually the manufacturer's own claim that the recipe contains no haram ingredients. It may well be true, but nobody has certified it.
- A vegetarian or vegan label, which rules out meat and gelatine but not alcohol.
How to recognise a genuine halal logo
- It names the certifier. A real logo includes the organisation's name or initials, not just the word halal or a crescent.
- The certifier can be looked up. Search for the organisation and check it has a website with contact details and a list of certified products or businesses.
- The product appears on the certifier's list. Many certifiers publish them; if not, you can ask.
- It is on the pack itself, not only on a shelf label or a website.
Common halal logos you will see in the UK
| Logo | Certifier | Where you will see it |
|---|---|---|
| HMC | Halal Monitoring Committee, UK | Butchers, restaurants, meat products; no stunning |
| HFA | Halal Food Authority, UK | Supermarket meat, food products, takeaways; accepts reversible stunning |
| HQC | Halal Quality Control, Netherlands | Food products sold across Europe |
| JAKIM | JAKIM, Malaysia | Imported Malaysian food, noodles, sauces |
| MUI / BPJPH | Indonesia's halal agency | Instant noodles and imported Indonesian food |
| MUIS | Islamic Religious Council of Singapore | Imported Singaporean food |
| IFANCA | IFANCA, USA | Ingredients, supplements and food from the US |
| ISNA HCA | ISNA Halal Certification Agency, Canada | Canadian products |
| SANHA | SANHA, South Africa | South African products |
| AFIC | AFIC, Australia | Australian products |
Government certifiers such as JAKIM (Malaysia), MUIS (Singapore) and BPJPH (Indonesia) are widely accepted because they are run or authorised by the state.
Logos and stunning
Different certifiers follow different scholarly positions on stunning before slaughter. HMC does not certify stunned meat; HFA accepts reversible stunning. If this matters to you, check which logo is on the pack. See HMC vs HFA.
What to do if you are unsure
- Contact the certifier named on the logo and give them the product name and batch code.
- Contact the manufacturer and ask who certifies the product.
- Check the ingredients with the halal ingredients checker, which covers everything except slaughter and factory practices.
Frequently asked questions
What does a halal logo look like?
Halal logos vary by certifier, but a genuine one names the certifying organisation, often with the word halal in English or Arabic (حلال). A plain crescent or the word halal on its own is not a certification mark.
Is a halal logo from another country valid in the UK?
A logo from a recognised foreign certifier means the product was certified where it was made. Many UK Muslims accept logos from bodies such as JAKIM, MUI and MUIS.
Is "halal suitable" the same as halal certified?
No. "Halal suitable" usually means the manufacturer says the recipe has no haram ingredients. Halal certified means an independent body has checked and approved the product.
Can a shop print its own halal sign?
Yes. In the UK there is no law against describing food as halal without certification, which is why a named certifier's logo or certificate is more reliable.
How do I report a fake halal logo?
Contact the certifier whose logo is being used, and report food that is misdescribed to your local council's Trading Standards team.