IDSC sheds lights on 8 most frequently asked questions about 'halal' certification for dairy, meat imports

Middle East

04-06-2025

CAIRO, June 4 (MENA) - The Cabinet's Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) shed light Wednesday on most eight frequently asked questions about the government's decisions related to the "halal" certification through an infographic published on its official social media platforms.
The infographic addressed the Cabinet's decision to cancel "halal" certification requirements for dairy imports, a move that generated a lot of discussions about the nature of the certification and its impact on Egypt's dairy imports, as well as its
implications on imported meat and poultry.
The infographic brought about the eight most frequently asked questions about "halal" certification for imported dairy and meat products.
It said a "halal" certification is a process carried out by a credible and accredited conformity assessment body certifying that a company's products or services meet "halal" standards and requirements.
The certificate's importance lies in assuring Muslims that the products they consume comply with Islamic Sharia law, thereby enhancing consumer trust and preventing confusion as to products' religious permissibility.
The infographic said halal certifications are granted only to companies that meet required standards, and these companies are permitted to put on the "halal" label on their products.
The certification applies to sectors related to food industries, cosmetics, and personal care products.
Egypt's decision to cancel "halal" certification for dairy products stems from the concrete fact that milk comes from live animals. Hence, the idea of mixing halal dairy with non-halal dairy is considered illogical.
International monitoring has shown that halal certifications are not required for dairy in Muslim countries and are mainly applied to meat and poultry.
Egypt imports various dairy products, including powdered milk and cheese, all from well-known sources, the infographic further noted.
These products undergo inspections to ensure they meet standard specifications and verify the type of milk giving animals that produce milk for human consumption.
Regarding meat, the infographic clarified that Egypt imports around 50% of its meat needs from world countries.
No meat shipment enters the country without being thoroughly reviewed by a specialized committee to ensure that the slaughtering process complies with Islamic (halal) methods of slaughter and that the shipment is fully prepared to enter the Egyptian market in accordance with Islamic Law (Sharia). (MENA)
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