Uttar Pradesh bans sale of Halal certified edible items with immediate effect, issues order

Amid the Uttar Pradesh police filing cases against multiple companies for creating forged ‘Halal certificates’, the food commissioner's office on Saturday (November 18) issued an order and said, "In the interest of public health, production, storing, distribution and sale of Halal certified edible items banned in Uttar Pradesh with immediate effect.” Notably the action was taken against companies and organisations for allegedly exploiting religious sentiments to boost sales by providing halal certificates to customers of a specific religion, the UP government said in a statement on Saturday.

The order said that Halal certification is being mentioned on the labels of certain food products like dairy products, sugar bakery products, peppermint oil, salty ready-to-eat savories and edible oils etc.

Order from the food commissioner’s office

Commenting on how the alleged Halal certification violates the law, the order said, “The Halal certification of food products is a parallel system ensuring the quality of food products. It creates a situation of confusion and is completely against the basic intention of the Food Law Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and the section of the said Act Not maintainable under -89.”

Thus the order said, “In exercise of the right vested in Section 30(2) (a) of the Uttar Pradesh State, in view of public health, On manufacturing, storage, distribution and sale of food products having Halal certification (for exporters for export) (except manufactured food items) are banned with immediate effect.”

Allegations of forged Halal certificates

Police on Saturday registered a case against a company and a few other organisations for allegedly exploiting people's religious sentiments to boost sales by providing "forged" halal certificates.

The case has been registered under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 298 (uttering words, etc, with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings), 384 (extortion), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 467 (forgery of valuable security, will, etc), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the IPC.

The case has been registered against entities such as the Halal India Private Limited Chennai, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust Delhi, Halal Council of India Mumbai, Jamiat Ulama Maharashtra and others for allegedly exploiting religious sentiments to boost sales by providing halal certificates to customers of a specific religion, the UP government said in a statement on Saturday.  

Citing the FIR, the statement said that the said companies allegedly issued forged halal certificates to various companies for financial gains, fostering not only social animosity but also violating public trust.

Complaint cites potential large scale conspiracy

The UP government statement said the complainant has raised concerns over a potential large-scale conspiracy, indicating attempts to decrease the sale of products from companies lacking the halal certificate, which is illegal. There is an apprehension that this unfair advantage is being passed on to anti-social and anti-national elements.

The issuance of halal certificates for vegetarian products like oil, soap, toothpaste, and honey, where no such certification is necessary, suggests a deliberate criminal conspiracy targeting a specific community and its products, it said.

The complainant further alleged that, under the guise of religion, "unrestrained propaganda" is being pursued within a particular section of the society to discourage the use of products lacking a halal certificate. This, in turn, harms the business interests of other communities.

The complainant also expressed concern over these individuals amassing disproportionate profits and potentially channelling funds towards supporting terrorist organisations and anti-national endeavours, the statement said.