Important Announcement: Clarification on Halal Certification and Slaughterhouse Codes

Dear Esteemed Members of the Muslim Community,

Assalamu alaikum warahmatullah,

As a trusted and accredited Halal certification body based in Ireland, we are committed to providing accurate information to our community and ensuring the integrity of the Halal certification process. Recently, we have become aware of rumours circulating on social media regarding the authenticity of certain IE codes on meat product labels, purportedly indicating their Halal status. We find it necessary to address these rumors and provide clarification for the benefit of our community.

Incorrect Information and Clarification:

The information suggesting that products with specific IE codes from certain slaughterhouses are universally Halal is not accurate. We would like to clarify a few key points to ensure that our community makes informed choices:

1. Variable Halal Slaughter Practices: Some slaughterhouses and abattoirs may engage in Halal slaughter on specific days of the week, while others may exclusively conduct Halal slaughter. However, it is an industry practice for most facilities to process carcasses from animals slaughtered elsewhere, leading to potential cross-contamination.

Our Halal Certification Process:

Our Halal certificates encompass meat products sourced from accredited abattoirs, and this endorsement is granted following a rigorous and impartial Halal certification process. This process involves a pre-audit, a Halal audit conducted by Technical auditors and Shariah experts against specific Halal standards, and an assessment of compliance with food safety standards. Once a slaughterhouse successfully obtains Halal certification, it must also adhere to the following condition:

1. Halal Supervision: Our Halal supervisors closely monitor and supervise the entire production process, from slaughter to final packaging, ensuring compliance with Halal standards.
2. Halal Logo on Label: Look for the Halal logo on the product label. All our certified products feature this logo, indicating that they have undergone rigorous supervision by our dedicated Halal supervisors and auditors.
3. Halal Batch Certificates: In cases where carcasses are sold to local butchers for further processing, or for export purposes, a Halal batch certificate is issued. This certificate includes crucial details such as Halal slaughter dates, batch codes, and more.

Guidance for Consumers:

We kindly urge our Muslim consumers to exercise vigilance and accept products as genuinely Halal only if:

1. The product carries a Halal logo or the word “Halal” on the label.
2. Local butchers provide a Halal Batch certificate for every shipment, verifying the authenticity of the Halal meat products they sell.

Contact Us for Further Information:

For any inquiries or additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to assist and provide clarity on matters related to Halal certification.

Thank you for your trust in our certification process and your commitment to making informed choices in adherence to Halal principles.

Sincerely,

Department of Halal Certification Europe (DHCE)

Today, the European Commission is organising a conference on freedom of religion with regard to religious slaughter, in partnership with the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the UN. Commissioner Helena Dalli will deliver the opening remarks.

Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, Chairman of Irish Muslim Council and Director of Department of Halal Certification Europe (DHCE), is also attending this meeting.

The conference is bringing together representatives of EU Member States and other national authorities, special envoys and coordinators on combating antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred, representatives of national Jewish, Muslim and other religious communities, international organisations and independent experts.

In its EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life and in its EU Anti-racism Action Plan, the Commission committed to facilitating exchange of practices between national authorities, representatives of Jewish and Muslim communities, equality bodies, civil society and local level representatives, and to draw on experience of international organisations. A summary of the event will be made available online in the coming days.

https://www.salaamgateway.com/story/halal-certification-logos-around-the-world-the-good-the-bad-and-the-misunderstood

A fondness for green – Halal certification logos around the world – https://t.co/irE7mCIwwp #halal #halalfood #logos #halalcertification #HCBs #halallogos https://t.co/irE7mCIwwp

— Salaam Gateway (@SalaamGateway) May 30, 2022

https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/highlights-from-moncrieff/slaughtering-halal-meat-ireland

Received from Uachtarán na hÉireann – President of Ireland

Message from President Michael D Higgins

At the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan, as you prepare to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, may I send my congratulations and best wishes to all members of the Islamic community in Ireland.

In normal circumstances, Ramadan is a time when Muslims around the world can come together, to celebrate with their neighbours and loves ones, in mosques and cultural centres.

This year, as the covid-19 virus has forced the closure of so many public spaces, I hope that Ramadan can be an opportunity to reflect on our common humanity and our shared dependence, as the Islamic community has to try and celebrate its identity in a physically separated, but spiritually united, fashion.

Over the past number of months, our resolve as a nation has been tested and, as President of Ireland, I take heart from the countless demonstrations of solidarity between people of all backgrounds and their fellow citizens. May I thank the Islamic community in Ireland for its valuable contribution in this regard and send you my best wishes for your health and happiness in the year to come.

Michael D Higgins

Uachtarán na hÉireann 

President of Ireland

Greetings from the Department of Halal Certification Europe (DHCE) 

DHCE continues to monitor advice to assess the developments and risks following the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). With the safety and wellbeing of our clients and colleagues our highest priority, we are contacting you to advise of our plans as an organisation during this global health issue.

Taking into consideration the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, we have reviewed our certification processes and put in place a contingency plan in line with the guidelines of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) on the management of Extraordinary or Circumstances affecting accreditation and certification bodies. 

The objective of our contingency plan is to minimize the risk to DHCE clients and colleagues whilst at the same time maintaining certification requirements and mitigating potential global trade risks in these extraordinary circumstances.

• On-site certification assessment visits/Halal audits that were due to take place in March and April will all be rescheduled to a later date
• To ensure clients continue to have valid halal certification, renewals of the certification will be granted after successful remote assessment 

These measures are being put in place to ensure the health and safety of our Clients and DHCE colleagues, as well as to maintain robust accredited conformity assessment activities and accredited services in the best possible way. 

Should you require any further clarification on this matter, please contact us.

We wish you all the best.

Ms. Shahida Umar
Managing Director DHCE

IAF Statement on COVID-19

IAF continues to monitor advice to assess the developments and risks following the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The situation has led to safety concerns and travel restrictions in relevant economies that are likely to affect accredited conformity assessment activities.

Following the guidance set out in ID3:2011 (IAF Informative Document For Management of Extraordinary Events or Circumstances Affecting ABs, CABs and Certified Organizations), relevant Accreditation Bodies and Certification Bodies have introduced or are introducing alternative arrangements to conduct assessments. This may involve e.g. making arrangements to conduct assessments remotely or rescheduling activities if necessary. Both ABs and CBs can find the requirements on how to use information and communication technologies to support and maintain the integrity of the audit/assessment process in IAF MD 4 (Mandatory Document for the Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Auditing/Assessment Purposes).

These measures have been/are being put in place to ensure the health and safety of Accreditation Body and Certification Body staff, as well as to maintain robust accredited certification and ensure certified organizations are served in the best way possible.

The advice from governments in relevant economies and other sources to assess the risks will be continually monitored as the situation develops. Situation reports can be found on the WHO website.  

Details of your local IAF member contacts can be found on the IAF website.