Halal food chains - concepts and opportunities in Pakistan

Halal, in terms of food commodities, refers to food material, ingredients and the production process, which is permissible for Muslims for consumption. With increasing awareness about food and its quality, safety and origins, consumers are becoming more and more informed if they are buying the same product for which they are paying. In the case of Halal food there are certifying bodies to warrant that Halal food materials are prepared and processed for consumption through Halal procedures. Pakistan is the world’s second largest Muslim country. However, the implementation of Halal certification for food in Pakistan is neither standardized nor compulsory. This article reviews the possibility of standardization of Halal food chains in Pakistan. Review of literature clarifies the concept of Halal and its scope in the world. Malaysian Halal food industry is reported as an example and the article is concluded at the possibility of application of the concept of Halal in the food chains of Pakistan. Ideally, Halal certification systems in Pakistan should incorporate issues of standardization, infrastructure, traceability and auditing, while ensuring the trust of consumers in both the certified system and its stakeholders along the producer-to-consumer chain. Achieving genuine commitment from these Halal food chain stakeholders as well as clearly defining the role of government in policing the integrity of Halal food chains is key requirement to establishing an effective and sustainable Halal system. Such a system would provide a platform for improving consumer confidence and increasing the export of Halal food commodities from Pakistan.