HMC vs HFA: Halal Certification Compared
HMC and HFA side by side: stunning, slaughter, monitoring, certificate terms and how to check each one, from their own published rules.
HMC and HFA are the two Halal marks UK shoppers see most. The biggest difference between them is stunning: HMC accepts no stunned meat, while HFA allows controlled electric stunning for poultry and sheep. This table is drawn from the rules each body publishes about itself.
| Point | HMC | HFA |
|---|---|---|
| Organisation | Registered charity (no. 1147462) | Certification company based in London (Halal Food Authority Ltd) |
| Stunning | No stunned meat or poultry | Controlled electric stunning at minimal amperage, verified by a vet, for poultry and sheep; no captive-bolt or percussion stunning |
| Slaughter | By hand, by a practising Muslim slaughterman, Tasmiyah on each animal, three of the four main vessels cut | By hand, by qualified Muslim slaughtermen; no mechanical slaughter |
| Monitoring | Serialised labels from slaughter to shop; monitors visit outlets almost daily | Audits and regular inspections, with a surveillance audit in year two |
| Certificate | Yearly outlet certificate listing the items covered | Three-year cycle with a renewal audit; can be suspended or cancelled at any time |
| Public search | Yes: shops, schools and suppliers | None on its website (checked 1 October 2026); some brands publish their own list |
| JAKIM list (21 August 2026) | Not listed | Listed |
What the difference means for you
If you do not accept stunning, HMC's standard excludes it; HFA's allows controlled electric stunning of poultry and sheep. Which standard you follow is a religious choice on which scholars differ; we describe what each body publishes and do not rank them. HMC says it does not comment on products it has not certified, so not being HMC certified is not a ruling that a product is Haram. JAKIM's list concerns which certificates Malaysia accepts for imports, not a verdict on either body.
See also: Is chicken Halal? · Is lamb Halal? · Is KFC Halal?
How to check each one
HMC
- Look for HMC's yellow sticker at the outlet.
- Read the yearly certificate on display: it lists the items certified, and items not on it are not covered.
- Check that the outlet appears on HMC's website.
- On packaged chicken, look for HMC's coloured, serialised label; HMC red meat is stamped.
HFA
- Ask the brand or outlet for its current HFA certificate and check the dates.
- Check that the certificate names the product, site or branch you are buying from.
- For a restaurant chain, use the chain's own Halal list where it publishes one.
How to check a Halal certificate · All certifiers
Sources
- 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
- 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
- HMC · Certified shops Search by location or name and shop type; three checks: yellow sticker, yearly certificate, the website. Retrieved 1 October 2026
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Halal Food Authority · Certification termination and suspension During suspension the HFA mark shall not be depicted on approved products. Retrieved 1 October 2026
- KFC UK · KFC UK Halal KFC UK names HFA and lists its Halal branches. Retrieved 1 October 2026