NEW DELHI: A legal dispute regarding the imposition of a ban on the manufacture, sale, and distribution of food products with halal certification has escalated, with the Centre presenting a case in court on Monday. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that the certification process, which extends beyond food items to products like cement, iron bars, and water bottles, is driving up prices and collecting vast sums of money.
Mehta expressed shock at discovering that halal certification was applied to a range of non-food items, saying, “Halal certification is not confined to food. Cement used in construction, iron bars, and even water bottles are required to be halal-certified. Lakhs of crores of rupees are being collected through this certification.” He suggested that the certification process was contributing to increased costs for consumers.
However, senior advocate M R Shamshad, representing various petitioners including Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind Halal Trust, defended the practice, emphasizing that halal certification is a voluntary lifestyle choice, not a mandate. He stated that the concept of halal has been clearly explained in central government policy and is not intended to impose restrictions on consumers.
In November 2023, the Uttar Pradesh government banned the manufacture, sale, storage, and distribution of halal-certified products, citing public health concerns and arguing that such certification created confusion about the quality of products. The UP government’s affidavit described halal certification as a parallel system that contradicts the intentions of the Food Safety and Standards Act.
The Supreme Court is set to hear the case further on March 25, as the issue remains under legal scrutiny.
Read Also: