INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
allowed retailers and superstore chains 15 days to withdraw any such food items from their shelves
In addition to this, it has also asked 92 UP-based manufacturers which had been getting halal certification from non-certified organisations
for their goods, to recall their products within UP and rebrand or repackage them as necessary.Commissioner, food safety and drug
administration, Anita Singh told TOIthat since November 18, when the ban on halal-certified products was implemented in UP, 92 raids and
about 500 inspections have been conducted across the state, in which around 3,000kg of halal-certified products worth Rs 7-8 lakh have been
seized.Another 81 food samples have been taken for testing.Since the ban was imposed on Nov 18, around 3,000kg of halal-certified items
including one in Lucknow, which are registered with the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) under I-CAS, which are
authorised to give halal certification to meat and meat products for export
In addition to this, there are 700-800 organisations across India that have been issuing halal certification
of food safety has so far seized several halal-certified food items, which include products like sugar, oil, bakery items, sauces, rice, etc
Many of these products have been produced in states like Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, and in Gurgaon
For the next two weeks or so, till retailers and other sellers recall halal-certified products, the department will continue to carry out
inspections to ensure the new order is followed but will not take any penal action, Singh said.Although there is lack of clarity on the
imported halal-certified goods, according to officials, these are unlikely to come under the purview of the current ban.
