How Are ISO Certification and Halal Certification Connected in the Food Industry?
Reach global markets with the help of the ISO Certification and Halal certifications on your food business. Understand how dual certification focuses on safe and quality food while also considering the religious aspect of food, building confidence among foreign clients. Learn about the inspirational stories of African food exporters approaching approvals and growing exports at an amazing rate.
Introduction – The Journey of a Food Exporter
Think about a food exporter in Nigeria who wants to sell to the Middle East and Southeast Asia. They have great products but they face difficulties in making a sale because: buyers do not trust them, it takes a long time for the product to clear customs, and trust is hard to build.
This is the story of the many food businesses in Africa. Enter ISO and Halal certification—two standards that change the prospects of food exports. ISO certification on quality and food safety with Halal certification keeps Islamic dietary laws making them your ticket to building trust with your consumers.
Understanding ISO Certification in the Food Industry
ISO refers to the International Organization for Standardization, which provides universally accepted guidelines to maintain the quality, safety, and efficiency of various processes. In the food industry, the most important ISO standards are:
ISO 22000: It covers food safety management systems and ensures that every stage of production minimizes risks.
ISO 9001: This standard relates to quality management, process streamlining, and operational efficiency enhancement.
Think of an African food processing company that uses ISO 22000. The company standardized the food handling and safety protocols, as well as the quality checks. Now, the company minimizes the risks of contamination and has received recognition from international buyers.
ISO certification in food offers the following benefits:
- Food safety and hygiene are guaranteed.
- Brand reputation is enhanced on a global scale.
- Regulatory inspections are less problematic.
- Structured systems increase consumer trust.
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What is Halal Certification?
Halal certification is the process to confirm that a food product is permissible according to Islamic dietary laws. To be Halal, a product must contain:
- No pork or any pork-derived ingredient.
- No alcohol or other forbidden additives.
All processing from slaughtering to packaging must be hygienic and ethical.
Storytelling: In October 2023, a Nigerian meat processing company found it difficult to break into Middle Eastern markets because they did not have a Halal certification. Immediately after becoming Halal certified, buyers had no qualms trusting their products, and exports began to pour in.
Benefits of Halal certification:
- Access to Muslim-majority markets.
- Enhanced consumer trust.
- Proof of ethical and religious compliance.
Data Point: The Halal food market is expected to reach over USD 3 trillion in 2025. Therefore, obtaining a Halal certification is key to growth.
The Connection Between ISO and Halal Certification
You might think that Halal certification and ISO certification are unrelated. While ISO certification deals with quality and safety of processes, Halal certification deals with the religious and ethical aspects. However, they do fit each other in practice. For instance, ISO 22000 focuses on food safety and hygiene. At the same time, Halal certification guarantees that the product is religiously and ethically permissible. All of this together forms a comprehensive system that demonstrates to clients that the product is compliant with and safe for use.
Storytelling Example: Halal certification and ISO 22000 certification were acquired together for the first time by a Nigerian poultry exporting company. This enabled the Nigeria poultry export company to meet the clean export process and religious compliance which led to expedited approvals to the UAE and Saudi Arabia. This led to a staggering 35% increase in exports in a single year.
Venn diagram showing:
How ISO Certification and Halal Certification Together Boost Your Global Trade
For food businesses looking to expand internationally, dual certification provides several significant advantages.
- Shorter time to market: Certified products are trusted, allowing for more rapid inspection and clearance.
- Increased market differentiation: With dual certification, you are better likely to attract customers in competitive global markets.
- Enhanced customer loyalty: Certified safe products appealing to Halal compliant are highly trusted by the customers.
- Lower risk: Having ISO certification in place ensures clean, safe food products easing Halal certification, helping to mitigate risk.
An African poultry exporter gained dual certification and increased exports to the UAE and Saudi Arabia. In the first year, revenue increased by 35%!
A flowchart aids in understanding the process in attaining both ISO and Halal certifications.
Flowchart of Dual Certification Process
- Gap analysis → Identify which processes need to be improved to meet ISO and Halal goals.
- ISO implementation → Implement food safety and quality systems.
- Halal compliance → Products and processes must adhere to Islamic dietary laws.
- Audit → Open to inspection from certification bodies.
- Certification → Earn ISO and Halal certification.
Export success → Go to market with trusted products and certified with trusted systems in place!
How Maxicert Helps Businesses Achieve ISO and Halal Certification
Maxicert is a reliable partner for food businesses seeking to obtain dual certification.
Provided services include:
- Consultancy and gap analysis to determine improvement areas.
- Preparing relevant documentation and aligning processes to ISO and Halal standards.
- Preparing audits for seamless certification.
- Guiding certification and international recognition.
Maxicert has helped food exporters from Africa and beyond achieve ISO and Halal certification standards seamlessly, leading to quicker entrance to the market and improved reputation.
Conclusion
For food businesses with global aspirations, obtaining ISO and Halal certification is much more than a formality; it is a ticket to market trust, security, and growth. By implementing ISO processes alongside Halal adjustments, businesses achieve international compliance, build customer trust, and broaden access to high-value markets around the globe.
With industry leaders like Maxicert, the pursuit of dual certification is a systematic, dependable, and outcome-focused process, transforming the aspirations of food exporters into global market achievements.
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FAQ
Can a food business get ISO and Halal certification simultaneously?
Yes, ISO 22000 and Halal certification complement each other and can be pursued together to enhance international credibility.
Which ISO standard is most relevant for Halal food producers?
ISO 22000 for food safety is directly applicable, while ISO 9001 strengthens overall quality management.
Does Halal certification guarantee ISO compliance?
No. Halal certification ensures religious compliance, while ISO ensures structured safety and quality systems.
How long does it take to get both certifications?
Timelines vary based on organizational readiness, but Maxicert provides step-by-step guidance to streamline the process efficiently.