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How to Check a Halal Certificate

A Halal logo covers a named product, site, branch, market and period. Five checks to see whether the certificate covers what you are buying.

Last reviewed 1 October 2026

A Halal logo says that some body certified something. The question that matters is whether it certified this product, from this site, for this country, right now. Here are five checks that answer it.

1. Who issued it?

Read the body's name on the logo or certificate, then go to that body's own site rather than a screenshot. Each has a different directory: search JAKIM on halal.gov.my, BPJPH by number or name, MUIS for establishments and products, IFANCA for products, and HMC for shops. Recognising a logo does not prove the current certificate covers the product.

2. Is it current?

How long a certificate lasts depends on who issued it, so don't assume one rule:

  • JAKIM: JAKIM's certification page says the certification fee covers two years, and each renewal needs a new application and payment.
  • BPJPH: BPJPH's head said in April 2024 that a Halal certificate stays valid for life as long as the ingredients and the Halal production process do not change. Companies must report changes.
  • HFA: HFA's certification procedure runs on a three-year cycle: a surveillance audit in year two, a renewal audit in year three, and a renewal application six months before expiry. A certificate can be suspended or cancelled at any time; while it is suspended, the HFA mark must not appear on the products.
  • HMC: A certified outlet displays a yearly HMC certificate, which lists the items it covers.

A certificate can also be suspended before it ends: HFA says its mark must not appear on products while a certificate is suspended. That is why the official directory today beats a framed certificate on the wall.

3. Does it cover this exact product?

Certificates name specific products. An HMC butcher's certificate lists the items certified, and items not on it are not covered. In Indonesia a certificate holds while the ingredients and production process stay the same, so a changed recipe needs the certificate updated. Compare the name, size and flavour on the pack with the directory listing.

4. Does it cover this site or branch?

For restaurants, Halal is a property of the branch, not the brand. KFC UK says around 200 of its UK restaurants serve Halal food and are accredited and audited by HFA, so not every branch is Halal. Check the branch you are visiting in the chain's own finder or the certifier's directory. See Is KFC Halal?

5. Does it cover this country?

One brand can be made to different recipes in different countries. National authorities also decide which foreign certificates they accept: Singapore's MUIS does not certify food made overseas and relies on foreign bodies it recognises, and JAKIM publishes Malaysia's list of recognised foreign bodies. A body's absence from a list concerns imports into that country; it is not a ruling on its standard.

When there is no public search

Some bodies, HFA among them, publish no public directory. Ask the brand or outlet for the current certificate, check the name, site and dates, and if in doubt write to the certifier itself. If you find evidence about a product on our site, send it through the product evidence form.

All certifiers · HMC vs HFA

Sources

  1. JAKIM · Halal Malaysia Portal: Verify Halal Status and announcements Search categories; 13 March 2025 announcement on withdrawing recognition from bodies in France, Croatia and China. Retrieved 1 October 2026
  2. JAKIM · Certification: procedure and fees "The fee imposed for halal certification is valid for the duration of two (2) years." Payment to JAKIM or the State Islamic Council/Department, whichever is relevant. Retrieved 1 October 2026
  3. JAKIM · The Recognized Foreign Halal Certification Bodies & Authorities, effective 21 August 2026 69-page list gazetted under the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011. United Kingdom entries: Halal Certification Europe and Halal Food Authority. United States entries include IFANCA. Retrieved 1 October 2026
  4. BPJPH · BPJPH homepage: certificate search Search fields: Nama Produk, Pelaku Usaha, Nomor Sertifikat. Retrieved 1 October 2026
  5. Okezone · Ini Kata Kepala BPJPH usai Dunkin' Terima Sertifikat Halal Seumur Hidup (5 April 2024) News report quoting BPJPH head Muhammad Aqil Irham: the certificate is valid for life while ingredients and the Halal production process do not change. Retrieved 1 October 2026
  6. LPPOM · Wajib Halal Oktober 2026 Kian Dekat, BPJPH Perkuat Pemastian Kehalalan Produk Impor (28 September 2026) Reports BPJPH deputy E.A. Chuzaemi Abidin on the October 2026 phase and BPJPH Regulations 2 and 3 of 2026. Retrieved 1 October 2026
  7. LPPOM · LPPOM homepage LPPOM is a Halal inspection body (LPH); its inspection results are the basis for MUI's Halal fatwa. Retrieved 1 October 2026
  8. MUIS · Halal: About (last updated 21 February 2025) Sole legal power under AMLA; Section 88A(1) and 88A(5); certification is voluntary. Retrieved 1 October 2026
  9. MUIS · Halal: For consumers Links to the search for Halal-certified eating establishments and food preparation areas. Retrieved 1 October 2026
  10. MUIS · Foreign Halal Certification Bodies (last updated 7 April 2026) "MUIS does not certify food products manufactured overseas"; recognition certificate valid for 3 years; annual reporting; recognised bodies and marks published. Retrieved 1 October 2026
  11. HMC · HMC Criteria for Halal Hand slaughter; Tasmiyah on each animal; 3 of the 4 main vessels cut; serialised labels; outlets monitored almost daily; charity no. 1147462. Retrieved 1 October 2026
  12. HMC · FAQs Does not accept stunned meat or poultry; certificates list the items certified; red meat stamped; chicken carries a coloured serialised label; no comment on non-HMC products; cannot yet cover other areas. Retrieved 1 October 2026
  13. HMC · Certified shops Search by location or name and shop type; three checks: yellow sticker, yearly certificate, the website. Retrieved 1 October 2026
  14. Halal Food Authority · FAQ: stunning and mechanical slaughter "HFA prohibits captive bolt and percussion stunning. We allow controlled electric stunning with minimal amperage, verified by a veterinary surgeon, for poultry and ovine meat." Mechanical slaughter "is not accepted by HFA". Retrieved 1 October 2026
  15. Halal Food Authority · Certification procedure Surveillance audit (year 2); renewal application six months before expiry; renewal audit (year 3); suspension or cancellation at any time. Retrieved 1 October 2026
  16. Halal Food Authority · Certification termination and suspension During suspension the HFA mark shall not be depicted on approved products. Retrieved 1 October 2026
  17. KFC UK · KFC UK Halal KFC UK names HFA and lists its Halal branches. Retrieved 1 October 2026