On the joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, IFANCA wishes everyone Eid Mubarak. May your fasting and deeds be accepted and your faith strenghtened. Let us strive to maintain the spirit of Ramadan with us throughout the year and to lend a helping hand to the many people who are suffering in our communities and around the world.

IFANCA Mentioned in the June 22, 2010 Issue of 'Dollars & Sense', a Baruch College Award-Winning Magazine

The following is an excerpt from the article, 'Kosher or Halal? American Muslims Debate Which Food Certifications To Follow':

Differing standards as to what constitutes halal also makes reliable halal certification tricky. "Muslims in North America and Europe are still not actively searching for a third-party certification symbol," says Maria Omar, IFANCA Media Relations Director. "That is something we are trying to change in the public realm. Many Muslims will take a neighborhood butcher's word on the halal status of meat, many perceive that there are no such agencies that provide certification and many are unaware of the large numbers of fraud or questionable halal certifications present today."

Some manufacturers self-certify or use certification agencies that are co-owned by the manufacturer, an obvious conflict of interest. There have been cases of certifications being issued without any inspection or regulation. "The lack of standards is a large issue in the industry," says Omar. Though a few states have halal consumer protection laws, "they have never been used even once," says Omar.

The entire article can be read here.

Demand for Halal Foods is Increasing Says Meat Trade News Daily

According to the Meat Trade News Daily, Feb. 2010 issue, in an article written by Dr. Mian Riaz, Director, Food Protein R& D Center, Texas A&M University, "demand for halal foods is increasing, not only in the U.S., Europe and Canada, but also in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, North Africa and Australia. (The) Halal consumer market/trade is the fastest growing in the world. The global halal food market is currently valued at $635 billion per year, and, according to the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America, the U.S. halal market is estimated at $17.6 billion. Besides Muslims, other segments have joined the ranks of halal consumers, as these types of foods gain worldwide recognition as being safe and hygienic. Non-Muslim consumers like them, because of their additional safety and sanitation features, making them less likely to be cross-contaminated. Therefore, there is tremendous economic opportunity for food manufacturers to meet the needs of all consumers of halal food products."

Also according to a report, in an estimation by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, "there are about 1.57 billion Muslims in the world today, and they comprise 23% of the global population of 6.8 billion. Over 60% of them live in Asia, and one-fifth in the Middle East and North Africa. More than 300 million Muslims live as minority communities. In Europe, there are an estimated 38.1 million Muslims, while about 1 million live in Canada, comprising 3.1% of the population. There are varying estimates of the Muslim population in the U.S., but most surveys place it at around 8 million." The article was also published in January 2010 by Prepared Foods magazine.

The entire article can be read here.

Ogilvy Reaffirms Size of Halal Market, Launches Division to Market to Muslims

In May 2010 the agency, Ogilvy & Mather, created a specialist global branding division, to solely concentrate on Islamic branding. The aim of the newly launched group is to tap into the Muslim market which comprises 1.8 billion people. The division, Ogilvy Noor, will be headed by experts in branding across key Muslim markets, including Asia, Europe and North Africa. Ogilvy Noor will offer advice on the best way to direct the marketing strategies and build brands that appeal to a Muslim market.

USDA Uses IFANCA as Example of Halal Certifier

A question pertinent to halal labels was posted on the USDA site. Below is the answer, which we're sure you'll find useful as well.

Question: Do I need to submit a label for a Halal, Zabiha Halal, … product that bears a foreign language for sketch approval?

Answer: Yes. When any foreign language (such as Arabic …) is on a label, sketch approval is required and direct translation of all foreign language must be included on the application. Additionally, when the label states that the food has been "Certified" Halal, Zabiha Halal, …, the name of the organization doing the certification also needs to appear on the label, and "certified" acts as a special claim that requires sketch approval. The label application needs to include documentation that demonstrates that the certifying organization's standards are met. For example, Company AZ submits a label for a Halal product labeled as "IFANCA Certified". FSIS would require Company AZ to submit confirmation from the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) that Company AZ's product meets the IFANCA requirements for certification.

IFANCA Client, Nestlé, is "Role Model" for Islamic Branding, reports WARC

As reported by WARC, "Nestlé is the leading multinational company for developing marketing strategies for Muslim consumers." WARC is a leading supplier of information, knowledge, insight and data to the global marketing, advertising, media and research communities.

Miles Young, CEO of Ogilvy & Mather, a keynote speaker at the Oxford Global Islamic Branding and Marketing Forum at the Saïd Business School, Oxford University, acknowledged Nestlé as having recognized Muslim shoppers as a significant market. "Nestlé is probably the role model for doing this properly. It has done it out of conviction – there's a commitment in everything the company does.." He added that "50% of the potential audience in the so-called "next 11" emerging economies are Muslim." However, he pointed out that just using religious connotations as a badge without understanding what it means to be a brand could be a recipe for failure. For instance, he said, Mecca Cola had been targeted to Muslim consumers without success. Brand owners must think "seriously about how they are perceived by Muslim customers."

According to the WARC White paper; Young, Muslim and Ready for Engagement by Nazia Hussain (Admap, July/August 2010, pp.36-38), "Young Muslims are keen to engage with brands, but they have high standards. They are protective of their faith and will make efforts to investigate brands. They demand honesty and integrity, reflecting the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) values, many global brands are striving to achieve. They are also loyal to those brands that reflect their values." Quoting Ogilvy Worldwide, the white paper states that Islamic branding implies empathy towards Shariah compliance or Shariah friendliness in the brand's identity, behavior and communications. Core Shariah values, it adds, are Nestlé honesty, purity, humility, community, charity, self-improvement, transparency and trustworthiness." On this scale, a survey of Muslim consumers by Ogilvy, revealed that Nestlé and Lipton are perceived as the top two Islamic brands with neither Emirates nor Etihad airlines making the cut. The survey reinforced the understanding that brands are expected to live up to Islamic values - merely adopting the label is not enough.

The entire article can be read here.

Select Gerber Baby Food Products Halal Certified

Gerber Products Company is a purveyor of baby food and baby products. Gerber became a major international player in the baby food industry, offering more than 190 products in 80 countries, with labeling in 16 languages. Gerber baby food products that are IFANCA halal-certified include Good Start 2 Supreme Soy DHA & ARA and Good Start Supreme DHA & AEA.

As mentioned on the company website, "DHA & ARA are fatty acids, or lipids, found naturally in breast-milk. They're important components of Baby's healthy brain and eye tissues. During the third trimester of pregnancy, Mom passes DHA & ARA to Baby. After Baby is born, Mom can provide DHA & ARA to Baby by breastfeeding or giving her formula with added DHA & ARA."

English Biscuit Manufacturers Uses Halal Certification to Boost Exports

IFANCA halal-certified English Biscuit Manufacturers (Private) Limited is a producer of high quality biscuits in Pakistan. It caters not only to the wide requirements of the domestic market but also exports its products to USA, Canada, UK, Middle East and African countries. English Biscuit Manufacturers exports its products in special sea worthy packing to keep its products intact during and after transit.

Besides being the makers of biscuits, English Biscuit Manufacturers (Private) Limited strongly believes in being socially responsible. It supports education, especially for females and adults and has sponsored several programs such as the Garage School, Clifton Karachi, the CHAEF (Children Health and Education Foundation) School and the Shaheen KG School in Kala Shah Kaku, Lahore. The company has also initiated an in-house literacy program for its employees by the name of Ujala. Regular donations and fundraising activities have also become part of day to day business at English Biscuit Manufacturers, as part of the company’s social responsibility initiatives. English Biscuit Manufacturers (Private) Limited is an ISO 9001:2000 & ISO 14001:2004, IIP (Investor in People) and HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) Certified Company.

Question: "I want to cook Shrimp Pasta and one of the ingredients is part-skim 2% Mozzarella Cheese and Parmesan Cheese. Which stores do you know of that carry halal-certified cheeses? How can I find them in Raleigh, NC?" - Maryam F.

Response: Cabot Cheese has certified cheeses available throughout USA. www.cabotcheese.com has an option to find a store near you. In Raleigh, NC Cabot Cheese is available at many stores including Wal-Mart. Halal-certified products carry our registered Halal logo (Crescent M). - Haider Z. Khattak, Director, IFANCA Canada

Question: "My husband bought some fish fillets only to find out they are breaded with hops. Are hops halal or haram?"

Response: Hops are the female flower clusters of a hop species, Humulus lupulus. They are used primarily as a flavoring and are also used for various purposes in various beverages and herbal medicine. Therefore, hops are Halal. - Haider Z. Khattak, Director, IFANCA Canada

Question: "I am writing to request permission to reprint your excellent article, "Supplements – Which, Why and When" from Halal Consumer® 16, in our newsletter. I look forward to hearing from you." – Dr. Ayesha, Compassionate Care Network, Chicago

Response: Dear Dr. Ayesha, We are pleased that you found the article informative. Please feel free to reprint it, with due credit to the author and Halal Consumer magazine as the original source. Hope you continue to enjoy our articles. We welcome your feedback. – Naazish YarKhan, Managing Editor, Halal Consumer magazine.

On the joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, IFANCA wishes everyone Eid Mubarak. May your fasting and deeds be accepted and your faith strenghtened. Let us strive to maintain the spirit of Ramadan with us throughout the year and to lend a helping hand to the many people who are suffering in our communities and around the world.

IFANCA Mentioned in the June 22, 2010 Issue of 'Dollars & Sense', a Baruch College Award-Winning Magazine

The following is an excerpt from the article, 'Kosher or Halal? American Muslims Debate Which Food Certifications To Follow':

Differing standards as to what constitutes halal also makes reliable halal certification tricky. "Muslims in North America and Europe are still not actively searching for a third-party certification symbol," says Maria Omar, IFANCA Media Relations Director. "That is something we are trying to change in the public realm. Many Muslims will take a neighborhood butcher's word on the halal status of meat, many perceive that there are no such agencies that provide certification and many are unaware of the large numbers of fraud or questionable halal certifications present today."

Some manufacturers self-certify or use certification agencies that are co-owned by the manufacturer, an obvious conflict of interest. There have been cases of certifications being issued without any inspection or regulation. "The lack of standards is a large issue in the industry," says Omar. Though a few states have halal consumer protection laws, "they have never been used even once," says Omar.

The entire article can be read here.

Demand for Halal Foods is Increasing Says Meat Trade News Daily

According to the Meat Trade News Daily, Feb. 2010 issue, in an article written by Dr. Mian Riaz, Director, Food Protein R& D Center, Texas A&M University, "demand for halal foods is increasing, not only in the U.S., Europe and Canada, but also in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, North Africa and Australia. (The) Halal consumer market/trade is the fastest growing in the world. The global halal food market is currently valued at $635 billion per year, and, according to the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America, the U.S. halal market is estimated at $17.6 billion. Besides Muslims, other segments have joined the ranks of halal consumers, as these types of foods gain worldwide recognition as being safe and hygienic. Non-Muslim consumers like them, because of their additional safety and sanitation features, making them less likely to be cross-contaminated. Therefore, there is tremendous economic opportunity for food manufacturers to meet the needs of all consumers of halal food products."

Also according to a report, in an estimation by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, "there are about 1.57 billion Muslims in the world today, and they comprise 23% of the global population of 6.8 billion. Over 60% of them live in Asia, and one-fifth in the Middle East and North Africa. More than 300 million Muslims live as minority communities. In Europe, there are an estimated 38.1 million Muslims, while about 1 million live in Canada, comprising 3.1% of the population. There are varying estimates of the Muslim population in the U.S., but most surveys place it at around 8 million." The article was also published in January 2010 by Prepared Foods magazine.

The entire article can be read here.

Ogilvy Reaffirms Size of Halal Market, Launches Division to Market to Muslims

In May 2010 the agency, Ogilvy & Mather, created a specialist global branding division, to solely concentrate on Islamic branding. The aim of the newly launched group is to tap into the Muslim market which comprises 1.8 billion people. The division, Ogilvy Noor, will be headed by experts in branding across key Muslim markets, including Asia, Europe and North Africa. Ogilvy Noor will offer advice on the best way to direct the marketing strategies and build brands that appeal to a Muslim market.

USDA Uses IFANCA as Example of Halal Certifier

A question pertinent to halal labels was posted on the USDA site. Below is the answer, which we're sure you'll find useful as well.

Question: Do I need to submit a label for a Halal, Zabiha Halal, … product that bears a foreign language for sketch approval?

Answer: Yes. When any foreign language (such as Arabic …) is on a label, sketch approval is required and direct translation of all foreign language must be included on the application. Additionally, when the label states that the food has been "Certified" Halal, Zabiha Halal, …, the name of the organization doing the certification also needs to appear on the label, and "certified" acts as a special claim that requires sketch approval. The label application needs to include documentation that demonstrates that the certifying organization's standards are met. For example, Company AZ submits a label for a Halal product labeled as "IFANCA Certified". FSIS would require Company AZ to submit confirmation from the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) that Company AZ's product meets the IFANCA requirements for certification.

IFANCA Client, Nestlé, is "Role Model" for Islamic Branding, reports WARC

As reported by WARC, "Nestlé is the leading multinational company for developing marketing strategies for Muslim consumers." WARC is a leading supplier of information, knowledge, insight and data to the global marketing, advertising, media and research communities.

Miles Young, CEO of Ogilvy & Mather, a keynote speaker at the Oxford Global Islamic Branding and Marketing Forum at the Saïd Business School, Oxford University, acknowledged Nestlé as having recognized Muslim shoppers as a significant market. "Nestlé is probably the role model for doing this properly. It has done it out of conviction – there's a commitment in everything the company does.." He added that "50% of the potential audience in the so-called "next 11" emerging economies are Muslim." However, he pointed out that just using religious connotations as a badge without understanding what it means to be a brand could be a recipe for failure. For instance, he said, Mecca Cola had been targeted to Muslim consumers without success. Brand owners must think "seriously about how they are perceived by Muslim customers."

According to the WARC White paper; Young, Muslim and Ready for Engagement by Nazia Hussain (Admap, July/August 2010, pp.36-38), "Young Muslims are keen to engage with brands, but they have high standards. They are protective of their faith and will make efforts to investigate brands. They demand honesty and integrity, reflecting the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) values, many global brands are striving to achieve. They are also loyal to those brands that reflect their values." Quoting Ogilvy Worldwide, the white paper states that Islamic branding implies empathy towards Shariah compliance or Shariah friendliness in the brand's identity, behavior and communications. Core Shariah values, it adds, are Nestlé honesty, purity, humility, community, charity, self-improvement, transparency and trustworthiness." On this scale, a survey of Muslim consumers by Ogilvy, revealed that Nestlé and Lipton are perceived as the top two Islamic brands with neither Emirates nor Etihad airlines making the cut. The survey reinforced the understanding that brands are expected to live up to Islamic values - merely adopting the label is not enough.

The entire article can be read here.

Select Gerber Baby Food Products Halal Certified

Gerber Products Company is a purveyor of baby food and baby products. Gerber became a major international player in the baby food industry, offering more than 190 products in 80 countries, with labeling in 16 languages. Gerber baby food products that are IFANCA halal-certified include Good Start 2 Supreme Soy DHA & ARA and Good Start Supreme DHA & AEA.

As mentioned on the company website, "DHA & ARA are fatty acids, or lipids, found naturally in breast-milk. They're important components of Baby's healthy brain and eye tissues. During the third trimester of pregnancy, Mom passes DHA & ARA to Baby. After Baby is born, Mom can provide DHA & ARA to Baby by breastfeeding or giving her formula with added DHA & ARA."

English Biscuit Manufacturers Uses Halal Certification to Boost Exports

IFANCA halal-certified English Biscuit Manufacturers (Private) Limited is a producer of high quality biscuits in Pakistan. It caters not only to the wide requirements of the domestic market but also exports its products to USA, Canada, UK, Middle East and African countries. English Biscuit Manufacturers exports its products in special sea worthy packing to keep its products intact during and after transit.

Besides being the makers of biscuits, English Biscuit Manufacturers (Private) Limited strongly believes in being socially responsible. It supports education, especially for females and adults and has sponsored several programs such as the Garage School, Clifton Karachi, the CHAEF (Children Health and Education Foundation) School and the Shaheen KG School in Kala Shah Kaku, Lahore. The company has also initiated an in-house literacy program for its employees by the name of Ujala. Regular donations and fundraising activities have also become part of day to day business at English Biscuit Manufacturers, as part of the company’s social responsibility initiatives. English Biscuit Manufacturers (Private) Limited is an ISO 9001:2000 & ISO 14001:2004, IIP (Investor in People) and HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) Certified Company.

Question: "I want to cook Shrimp Pasta and one of the ingredients is part-skim 2% Mozzarella Cheese and Parmesan Cheese. Which stores do you know of that carry halal-certified cheeses? How can I find them in Raleigh, NC?" - Maryam F.

Response: Cabot Cheese has certified cheeses available throughout USA. www.cabotcheese.com has an option to find a store near you. In Raleigh, NC Cabot Cheese is available at many stores including Wal-Mart. Halal-certified products carry our registered Halal logo (Crescent M). - Haider Z. Khattak, Director, IFANCA Canada

Question: "My husband bought some fish fillets only to find out they are breaded with hops. Are hops halal or haram?"

Response: Hops are the female flower clusters of a hop species, Humulus lupulus. They are used primarily as a flavoring and are also used for various purposes in various beverages and herbal medicine. Therefore, hops are Halal. - Haider Z. Khattak, Director, IFANCA Canada

Question: "I am writing to request permission to reprint your excellent article, "Supplements – Which, Why and When" from Halal Consumer® 16, in our newsletter. I look forward to hearing from you." – Dr. Ayesha, Compassionate Care Network, Chicago

Response: Dear Dr. Ayesha, We are pleased that you found the article informative. Please feel free to reprint it, with due credit to the author and Halal Consumer magazine as the original source. Hope you continue to enjoy our articles. We welcome your feedback. – Naazish YarKhan, Managing Editor, Halal Consumer magazine.

On the joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, IFANCA wishes everyone Eid Mubarak. May your fasting and deeds be accepted and your faith strenghtened. Let us strive to maintain the spirit of Ramadan with us throughout the year and to lend a helping hand to the many people who are suffering in our communities and around the world.

IFANCA Mentioned in the June 22, 2010 Issue of 'Dollars & Sense', a Baruch College Award-Winning Magazine

The following is an excerpt from the article, 'Kosher or Halal? American Muslims Debate Which Food Certifications To Follow':

Differing standards as to what constitutes halal also makes reliable halal certification tricky. "Muslims in North America and Europe are still not actively searching for a third-party certification symbol," says Maria Omar, IFANCA Media Relations Director. "That is something we are trying to change in the public realm. Many Muslims will take a neighborhood butcher's word on the halal status of meat, many perceive that there are no such agencies that provide certification and many are unaware of the large numbers of fraud or questionable halal certifications present today."

Some manufacturers self-certify or use certification agencies that are co-owned by the manufacturer, an obvious conflict of interest. There have been cases of certifications being issued without any inspection or regulation. "The lack of standards is a large issue in the industry," says Omar. Though a few states have halal consumer protection laws, "they have never been used even once," says Omar.

The entire article can be read here.

Demand for Halal Foods is Increasing Says Meat Trade News Daily

According to the Meat Trade News Daily, Feb. 2010 issue, in an article written by Dr. Mian Riaz, Director, Food Protein R& D Center, Texas A&M University, "demand for halal foods is increasing, not only in the U.S., Europe and Canada, but also in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, North Africa and Australia. (The) Halal consumer market/trade is the fastest growing in the world. The global halal food market is currently valued at $635 billion per year, and, according to the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America, the U.S. halal market is estimated at $17.6 billion. Besides Muslims, other segments have joined the ranks of halal consumers, as these types of foods gain worldwide recognition as being safe and hygienic. Non-Muslim consumers like them, because of their additional safety and sanitation features, making them less likely to be cross-contaminated. Therefore, there is tremendous economic opportunity for food manufacturers to meet the needs of all consumers of halal food products."

Also according to a report, in an estimation by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, "there are about 1.57 billion Muslims in the world today, and they comprise 23% of the global population of 6.8 billion. Over 60% of them live in Asia, and one-fifth in the Middle East and North Africa. More than 300 million Muslims live as minority communities. In Europe, there are an estimated 38.1 million Muslims, while about 1 million live in Canada, comprising 3.1% of the population. There are varying estimates of the Muslim population in the U.S., but most surveys place it at around 8 million." The article was also published in January 2010 by Prepared Foods magazine.

The entire article can be read here.

Ogilvy Reaffirms Size of Halal Market, Launches Division to Market to Muslims

In May 2010 the agency, Ogilvy & Mather, created a specialist global branding division, to solely concentrate on Islamic branding. The aim of the newly launched group is to tap into the Muslim market which comprises 1.8 billion people. The division, Ogilvy Noor, will be headed by experts in branding across key Muslim markets, including Asia, Europe and North Africa. Ogilvy Noor will offer advice on the best way to direct the marketing strategies and build brands that appeal to a Muslim market.

USDA Uses IFANCA as Example of Halal Certifier

A question pertinent to halal labels was posted on the USDA site. Below is the answer, which we're sure you'll find useful as well.

Question: Do I need to submit a label for a Halal, Zabiha Halal, … product that bears a foreign language for sketch approval?

Answer: Yes. When any foreign language (such as Arabic …) is on a label, sketch approval is required and direct translation of all foreign language must be included on the application. Additionally, when the label states that the food has been "Certified" Halal, Zabiha Halal, …, the name of the organization doing the certification also needs to appear on the label, and "certified" acts as a special claim that requires sketch approval. The label application needs to include documentation that demonstrates that the certifying organization's standards are met. For example, Company AZ submits a label for a Halal product labeled as "IFANCA Certified". FSIS would require Company AZ to submit confirmation from the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) that Company AZ's product meets the IFANCA requirements for certification.

IFANCA Client, Nestlé, is "Role Model" for Islamic Branding, reports WARC

As reported by WARC, "Nestlé is the leading multinational company for developing marketing strategies for Muslim consumers." WARC is a leading supplier of information, knowledge, insight and data to the global marketing, advertising, media and research communities.

Miles Young, CEO of Ogilvy & Mather, a keynote speaker at the Oxford Global Islamic Branding and Marketing Forum at the Saïd Business School, Oxford University, acknowledged Nestlé as having recognized Muslim shoppers as a significant market. "Nestlé is probably the role model for doing this properly. It has done it out of conviction – there's a commitment in everything the company does.." He added that "50% of the potential audience in the so-called "next 11" emerging economies are Muslim." However, he pointed out that just using religious connotations as a badge without understanding what it means to be a brand could be a recipe for failure. For instance, he said, Mecca Cola had been targeted to Muslim consumers without success. Brand owners must think "seriously about how they are perceived by Muslim customers."

According to the WARC White paper; Young, Muslim and Ready for Engagement by Nazia Hussain (Admap, July/August 2010, pp.36-38), "Young Muslims are keen to engage with brands, but they have high standards. They are protective of their faith and will make efforts to investigate brands. They demand honesty and integrity, reflecting the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) values, many global brands are striving to achieve. They are also loyal to those brands that reflect their values." Quoting Ogilvy Worldwide, the white paper states that Islamic branding implies empathy towards Shariah compliance or Shariah friendliness in the brand's identity, behavior and communications. Core Shariah values, it adds, are Nestlé honesty, purity, humility, community, charity, self-improvement, transparency and trustworthiness." On this scale, a survey of Muslim consumers by Ogilvy, revealed that Nestlé and Lipton are perceived as the top two Islamic brands with neither Emirates nor Etihad airlines making the cut. The survey reinforced the understanding that brands are expected to live up to Islamic values - merely adopting the label is not enough.

The entire article can be read here.

Select Gerber Baby Food Products Halal Certified

Gerber Products Company is a purveyor of baby food and baby products. Gerber became a major international player in the baby food industry, offering more than 190 products in 80 countries, with labeling in 16 languages. Gerber baby food products that are IFANCA halal-certified include Good Start 2 Supreme Soy DHA & ARA and Good Start Supreme DHA & AEA.

As mentioned on the company website, "DHA & ARA are fatty acids, or lipids, found naturally in breast-milk. They're important components of Baby's healthy brain and eye tissues. During the third trimester of pregnancy, Mom passes DHA & ARA to Baby. After Baby is born, Mom can provide DHA & ARA to Baby by breastfeeding or giving her formula with added DHA & ARA."

English Biscuit Manufacturers Uses Halal Certification to Boost Exports

IFANCA halal-certified English Biscuit Manufacturers (Private) Limited is a producer of high quality biscuits in Pakistan. It caters not only to the wide requirements of the domestic market but also exports its products to USA, Canada, UK, Middle East and African countries. English Biscuit Manufacturers exports its products in special sea worthy packing to keep its products intact during and after transit.

Besides being the makers of biscuits, English Biscuit Manufacturers (Private) Limited strongly believes in being socially responsible. It supports education, especially for females and adults and has sponsored several programs such as the Garage School, Clifton Karachi, the CHAEF (Children Health and Education Foundation) School and the Shaheen KG School in Kala Shah Kaku, Lahore. The company has also initiated an in-house literacy program for its employees by the name of Ujala. Regular donations and fundraising activities have also become part of day to day business at English Biscuit Manufacturers, as part of the company’s social responsibility initiatives. English Biscuit Manufacturers (Private) Limited is an ISO 9001:2000 & ISO 14001:2004, IIP (Investor in People) and HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) Certified Company.

Question: "I want to cook Shrimp Pasta and one of the ingredients is part-skim 2% Mozzarella Cheese and Parmesan Cheese. Which stores do you know of that carry halal-certified cheeses? How can I find them in Raleigh, NC?" - Maryam F.

Response: Cabot Cheese has certified cheeses available throughout USA. www.cabotcheese.com has an option to find a store near you. In Raleigh, NC Cabot Cheese is available at many stores including Wal-Mart. Halal-certified products carry our registered Halal logo (Crescent M). - Haider Z. Khattak, Director, IFANCA Canada

Question: "My husband bought some fish fillets only to find out they are breaded with hops. Are hops halal or haram?"

Response: Hops are the female flower clusters of a hop species, Humulus lupulus. They are used primarily as a flavoring and are also used for various purposes in various beverages and herbal medicine. Therefore, hops are Halal. - Haider Z. Khattak, Director, IFANCA Canada

Question: "I am writing to request permission to reprint your excellent article, "Supplements – Which, Why and When" from Halal Consumer® 16, in our newsletter. I look forward to hearing from you." – Dr. Ayesha, Compassionate Care Network, Chicago

Response: Dear Dr. Ayesha, We are pleased that you found the article informative. Please feel free to reprint it, with due credit to the author and Halal Consumer magazine as the original source. Hope you continue to enjoy our articles. We welcome your feedback. – Naazish YarKhan, Managing Editor, Halal Consumer magazine.

On the joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, IFANCA wishes everyone Eid Mubarak. May your fasting and deeds be accepted and your faith strenghtened. Let us strive to maintain the spirit of Ramadan with us throughout the year and to lend a helping hand to the many people who are suffering in our communities and around the world.

IFANCA Mentioned in the June 22, 2010 Issue of 'Dollars & Sense', a Baruch College Award-Winning Magazine

The following is an excerpt from the article, 'Kosher or Halal? American Muslims Debate Which Food Certifications To Follow':

Differing standards as to what constitutes halal also makes reliable halal certification tricky. "Muslims in North America and Europe are still not actively searching for a third-party certification symbol," says Maria Omar, IFANCA Media Relations Director. "That is something we are trying to change in the public realm. Many Muslims will take a neighborhood butcher's word on the halal status of meat, many perceive that there are no such agencies that provide certification and many are unaware of the large numbers of fraud or questionable halal certifications present today."

Some manufacturers self-certify or use certification agencies that are co-owned by the manufacturer, an obvious conflict of interest. There have been cases of certifications being issued without any inspection or regulation. "The lack of standards is a large issue in the industry," says Omar. Though a few states have halal consumer protection laws, "they have never been used even once," says Omar.

The entire article can be read here.

Demand for Halal Foods is Increasing Says Meat Trade News Daily

According to the Meat Trade News Daily, Feb. 2010 issue, in an article written by Dr. Mian Riaz, Director, Food Protein R& D Center, Texas A&M University, "demand for halal foods is increasing, not only in the U.S., Europe and Canada, but also in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, North Africa and Australia. (The) Halal consumer market/trade is the fastest growing in the world. The global halal food market is currently valued at $635 billion per year, and, according to the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America, the U.S. halal market is estimated at $17.6 billion. Besides Muslims, other segments have joined the ranks of halal consumers, as these types of foods gain worldwide recognition as being safe and hygienic. Non-Muslim consumers like them, because of their additional safety and sanitation features, making them less likely to be cross-contaminated. Therefore, there is tremendous economic opportunity for food manufacturers to meet the needs of all consumers of halal food products."

Also according to a report, in an estimation by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, "there are about 1.57 billion Muslims in the world today, and they comprise 23% of the global population of 6.8 billion. Over 60% of them live in Asia, and one-fifth in the Middle East and North Africa. More than 300 million Muslims live as minority communities. In Europe, there are an estimated 38.1 million Muslims, while about 1 million live in Canada, comprising 3.1% of the population. There are varying estimates of the Muslim population in the U.S., but most surveys place it at around 8 million." The article was also published in January 2010 by Prepared Foods magazine.

The entire article can be read here.

Ogilvy Reaffirms Size of Halal Market, Launches Division to Market to Muslims

In May 2010 the agency, Ogilvy & Mather, created a specialist global branding division, to solely concentrate on Islamic branding. The aim of the newly launched group is to tap into the Muslim market which comprises 1.8 billion people. The division, Ogilvy Noor, will be headed by experts in branding across key Muslim markets, including Asia, Europe and North Africa. Ogilvy Noor will offer advice on the best way to direct the marketing strategies and build brands that appeal to a Muslim market.

USDA Uses IFANCA as Example of Halal Certifier

A question pertinent to halal labels was posted on the USDA site. Below is the answer, which we're sure you'll find useful as well.

Question: Do I need to submit a label for a Halal, Zabiha Halal, … product that bears a foreign language for sketch approval?

Answer: Yes. When any foreign language (such as Arabic …) is on a label, sketch approval is required and direct translation of all foreign language must be included on the application. Additionally, when the label states that the food has been "Certified" Halal, Zabiha Halal, …, the name of the organization doing the certification also needs to appear on the label, and "certified" acts as a special claim that requires sketch approval. The label application needs to include documentation that demonstrates that the certifying organization's standards are met. For example, Company AZ submits a label for a Halal product labeled as "IFANCA Certified". FSIS would require Company AZ to submit confirmation from the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) that Company AZ's product meets the IFANCA requirements for certification.

IFANCA Client, Nestlé, is "Role Model" for Islamic Branding, reports WARC

As reported by WARC, "Nestlé is the leading multinational company for developing marketing strategies for Muslim consumers." WARC is a leading supplier of information, knowledge, insight and data to the global marketing, advertising, media and research communities.

Miles Young, CEO of Ogilvy & Mather, a keynote speaker at the Oxford Global Islamic Branding and Marketing Forum at the Saïd Business School, Oxford University, acknowledged Nestlé as having recognized Muslim shoppers as a significant market. "Nestlé is probably the role model for doing this properly. It has done it out of conviction – there's a commitment in everything the company does.." He added that "50% of the potential audience in the so-called "next 11" emerging economies are Muslim." However, he pointed out that just using religious connotations as a badge without understanding what it means to be a brand could be a recipe for failure. For instance, he said, Mecca Cola had been targeted to Muslim consumers without success. Brand owners must think "seriously about how they are perceived by Muslim customers."

According to the WARC White paper; Young, Muslim and Ready for Engagement by Nazia Hussain (Admap, July/August 2010, pp.36-38), "Young Muslims are keen to engage with brands, but they have high standards. They are protective of their faith and will make efforts to investigate brands. They demand honesty and integrity, reflecting the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) values, many global brands are striving to achieve. They are also loyal to those brands that reflect their values." Quoting Ogilvy Worldwide, the white paper states that Islamic branding implies empathy towards Shariah compliance or Shariah friendliness in the brand's identity, behavior and communications. Core Shariah values, it adds, are Nestlé honesty, purity, humility, community, charity, self-improvement, transparency and trustworthiness." On this scale, a survey of Muslim consumers by Ogilvy, revealed that Nestlé and Lipton are perceived as the top two Islamic brands with neither Emirates nor Etihad airlines making the cut. The survey reinforced the understanding that brands are expected to live up to Islamic values - merely adopting the label is not enough.

The entire article can be read here.

Select Gerber Baby Food Products Halal Certified

Gerber Products Company is a purveyor of baby food and baby products. Gerber became a major international player in the baby food industry, offering more than 190 products in 80 countries, with labeling in 16 languages. Gerber baby food products that are IFANCA halal-certified include Good Start 2 Supreme Soy DHA & ARA and Good Start Supreme DHA & AEA.

As mentioned on the company website, "DHA & ARA are fatty acids, or lipids, found naturally in breast-milk. They're important components of Baby's healthy brain and eye tissues. During the third trimester of pregnancy, Mom passes DHA & ARA to Baby. After Baby is born, Mom can provide DHA & ARA to Baby by breastfeeding or giving her formula with added DHA & ARA."

English Biscuit Manufacturers Uses Halal Certification to Boost Exports

IFANCA halal-certified English Biscuit Manufacturers (Private) Limited is a producer of high quality biscuits in Pakistan. It caters not only to the wide requirements of the domestic market but also exports its products to USA, Canada, UK, Middle East and African countries. English Biscuit Manufacturers exports its products in special sea worthy packing to keep its products intact during and after transit.

Besides being the makers of biscuits, English Biscuit Manufacturers (Private) Limited strongly believes in being socially responsible. It supports education, especially for females and adults and has sponsored several programs such as the Garage School, Clifton Karachi, the CHAEF (Children Health and Education Foundation) School and the Shaheen KG School in Kala Shah Kaku, Lahore. The company has also initiated an in-house literacy program for its employees by the name of Ujala. Regular donations and fundraising activities have also become part of day to day business at English Biscuit Manufacturers, as part of the company’s social responsibility initiatives. English Biscuit Manufacturers (Private) Limited is an ISO 9001:2000 & ISO 14001:2004, IIP (Investor in People) and HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) Certified Company.

Question: "I want to cook Shrimp Pasta and one of the ingredients is part-skim 2% Mozzarella Cheese and Parmesan Cheese. Which stores do you know of that carry halal-certified cheeses? How can I find them in Raleigh, NC?" - Maryam F.

Response: Cabot Cheese has certified cheeses available throughout USA. www.cabotcheese.com has an option to find a store near you. In Raleigh, NC Cabot Cheese is available at many stores including Wal-Mart. Halal-certified products carry our registered Halal logo (Crescent M). - Haider Z. Khattak, Director, IFANCA Canada

Question: "My husband bought some fish fillets only to find out they are breaded with hops. Are hops halal or haram?"

Response: Hops are the female flower clusters of a hop species, Humulus lupulus. They are used primarily as a flavoring and are also used for various purposes in various beverages and herbal medicine. Therefore, hops are Halal. - Haider Z. Khattak, Director, IFANCA Canada

Question: "I am writing to request permission to reprint your excellent article, "Supplements – Which, Why and When" from Halal Consumer® 16, in our newsletter. I look forward to hearing from you." – Dr. Ayesha, Compassionate Care Network, Chicago

Response: Dear Dr. Ayesha, We are pleased that you found the article informative. Please feel free to reprint it, with due credit to the author and Halal Consumer magazine as the original source. Hope you continue to enjoy our articles. We welcome your feedback. – Naazish YarKhan, Managing Editor, Halal Consumer magazine.

On the joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, IFANCA wishes everyone Eid Mubarak. May your fasting and deeds be accepted and your faith strenghtened. Let us strive to maintain the spirit of Ramadan with us throughout the year and to lend a helping hand to the many people who are suffering in our communities and around the world.

IFANCA Mentioned in the June 22, 2010 Issue of 'Dollars & Sense', a Baruch College Award-Winning Magazine

The following is an excerpt from the article, 'Kosher or Halal? American Muslims Debate Which Food Certifications To Follow':

Differing standards as to what constitutes halal also makes reliable halal certification tricky. "Muslims in North America and Europe are still not actively searching for a third-party certification symbol," says Maria Omar, IFANCA Media Relations Director. "That is something we are trying to change in the public realm. Many Muslims will take a neighborhood butcher's word on the halal status of meat, many perceive that there are no such agencies that provide certification and many are unaware of the large numbers of fraud or questionable halal certifications present today."

Some manufacturers self-certify or use certification agencies that are co-owned by the manufacturer, an obvious conflict of interest. There have been cases of certifications being issued without any inspection or regulation. "The lack of standards is a large issue in the industry," says Omar. Though a few states have halal consumer protection laws, "they have never been used even once," says Omar.

The entire article can be read here.

Demand for Halal Foods is Increasing Says Meat Trade News Daily

According to the Meat Trade News Daily, Feb. 2010 issue, in an article written by Dr. Mian Riaz, Director, Food Protein R& D Center, Texas A&M University, "demand for halal foods is increasing, not only in the U.S., Europe and Canada, but also in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, North Africa and Australia. (The) Halal consumer market/trade is the fastest growing in the world. The global halal food market is currently valued at $635 billion per year, and, according to the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America, the U.S. halal market is estimated at $17.6 billion. Besides Muslims, other segments have joined the ranks of halal consumers, as these types of foods gain worldwide recognition as being safe and hygienic. Non-Muslim consumers like them, because of their additional safety and sanitation features, making them less likely to be cross-contaminated. Therefore, there is tremendous economic opportunity for food manufacturers to meet the needs of all consumers of halal food products."

Also according to a report, in an estimation by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, "there are about 1.57 billion Muslims in the world today, and they comprise 23% of the global population of 6.8 billion. Over 60% of them live in Asia, and one-fifth in the Middle East and North Africa. More than 300 million Muslims live as minority communities. In Europe, there are an estimated 38.1 million Muslims, while about 1 million live in Canada, comprising 3.1% of the population. There are varying estimates of the Muslim population in the U.S., but most surveys place it at around 8 million." The article was also published in January 2010 by Prepared Foods magazine.

The entire article can be read here.

Ogilvy Reaffirms Size of Halal Market, Launches Division to Market to Muslims

In May 2010 the agency, Ogilvy & Mather, created a specialist global branding division, to solely concentrate on Islamic branding. The aim of the newly launched group is to tap into the Muslim market which comprises 1.8 billion people. The division, Ogilvy Noor, will be headed by experts in branding across key Muslim markets, including Asia, Europe and North Africa. Ogilvy Noor will offer advice on the best way to direct the marketing strategies and build brands that appeal to a Muslim market.

USDA Uses IFANCA as Example of Halal Certifier

A question pertinent to halal labels was posted on the USDA site. Below is the answer, which we're sure you'll find useful as well.

Question: Do I need to submit a label for a Halal, Zabiha Halal, … product that bears a foreign language for sketch approval?

Answer: Yes. When any foreign language (such as Arabic …) is on a label, sketch approval is required and direct translation of all foreign language must be included on the application. Additionally, when the label states that the food has been "Certified" Halal, Zabiha Halal, …, the name of the organization doing the certification also needs to appear on the label, and "certified" acts as a special claim that requires sketch approval. The label application needs to include documentation that demonstrates that the certifying organization's standards are met. For example, Company AZ submits a label for a Halal product labeled as "IFANCA Certified". FSIS would require Company AZ to submit confirmation from the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) that Company AZ's product meets the IFANCA requirements for certification.

IFANCA Client, Nestlé, is "Role Model" for Islamic Branding, reports WARC

As reported by WARC, "Nestlé is the leading multinational company for developing marketing strategies for Muslim consumers." WARC is a leading supplier of information, knowledge, insight and data to the global marketing, advertising, media and research communities.

Miles Young, CEO of Ogilvy & Mather, a keynote speaker at the Oxford Global Islamic Branding and Marketing Forum at the Saïd Business School, Oxford University, acknowledged Nestlé as having recognized Muslim shoppers as a significant market. "Nestlé is probably the role model for doing this properly. It has done it out of conviction – there's a commitment in everything the company does.." He added that "50% of the potential audience in the so-called "next 11" emerging economies are Muslim." However, he pointed out that just using religious connotations as a badge without understanding what it means to be a brand could be a recipe for failure. For instance, he said, Mecca Cola had been targeted to Muslim consumers without success. Brand owners must think "seriously about how they are perceived by Muslim customers."

According to the WARC White paper; Young, Muslim and Ready for Engagement by Nazia Hussain (Admap, July/August 2010, pp.36-38), "Young Muslims are keen to engage with brands, but they have high standards. They are protective of their faith and will make efforts to investigate brands. They demand honesty and integrity, reflecting the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) values, many global brands are striving to achieve. They are also loyal to those brands that reflect their values." Quoting Ogilvy Worldwide, the white paper states that Islamic branding implies empathy towards Shariah compliance or Shariah friendliness in the brand's identity, behavior and communications. Core Shariah values, it adds, are Nestlé honesty, purity, humility, community, charity, self-improvement, transparency and trustworthiness." On this scale, a survey of Muslim consumers by Ogilvy, revealed that Nestlé and Lipton are perceived as the top two Islamic brands with neither Emirates nor Etihad airlines making the cut. The survey reinforced the understanding that brands are expected to live up to Islamic values - merely adopting the label is not enough.

The entire article can be read here.

Select Gerber Baby Food Products Halal Certified

Gerber Products Company is a purveyor of baby food and baby products. Gerber became a major international player in the baby food industry, offering more than 190 products in 80 countries, with labeling in 16 languages. Gerber baby food products that are IFANCA halal-certified include Good Start 2 Supreme Soy DHA & ARA and Good Start Supreme DHA & AEA.

As mentioned on the company website, "DHA & ARA are fatty acids, or lipids, found naturally in breast-milk. They're important components of Baby's healthy brain and eye tissues. During the third trimester of pregnancy, Mom passes DHA & ARA to Baby. After Baby is born, Mom can provide DHA & ARA to Baby by breastfeeding or giving her formula with added DHA & ARA."

English Biscuit Manufacturers Uses Halal Certification to Boost Exports

IFANCA halal-certified English Biscuit Manufacturers (Private) Limited is a producer of high quality biscuits in Pakistan. It caters not only to the wide requirements of the domestic market but also exports its products to USA, Canada, UK, Middle East and African countries. English Biscuit Manufacturers exports its products in special sea worthy packing to keep its products intact during and after transit.

Besides being the makers of biscuits, English Biscuit Manufacturers (Private) Limited strongly believes in being socially responsible. It supports education, especially for females and adults and has sponsored several programs such as the Garage School, Clifton Karachi, the CHAEF (Children Health and Education Foundation) School and the Shaheen KG School in Kala Shah Kaku, Lahore. The company has also initiated an in-house literacy program for its employees by the name of Ujala. Regular donations and fundraising activities have also become part of day to day business at English Biscuit Manufacturers, as part of the company’s social responsibility initiatives. English Biscuit Manufacturers (Private) Limited is an ISO 9001:2000 & ISO 14001:2004, IIP (Investor in People) and HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) Certified Company.

Question: "I want to cook Shrimp Pasta and one of the ingredients is part-skim 2% Mozzarella Cheese and Parmesan Cheese. Which stores do you know of that carry halal-certified cheeses? How can I find them in Raleigh, NC?" - Maryam F.

Response: Cabot Cheese has certified cheeses available throughout USA. www.cabotcheese.com has an option to find a store near you. In Raleigh, NC Cabot Cheese is available at many stores including Wal-Mart. Halal-certified products carry our registered Halal logo (Crescent M). - Haider Z. Khattak, Director, IFANCA Canada

Question: "My husband bought some fish fillets only to find out they are breaded with hops. Are hops halal or haram?"

Response: Hops are the female flower clusters of a hop species, Humulus lupulus. They are used primarily as a flavoring and are also used for various purposes in various beverages and herbal medicine. Therefore, hops are Halal. - Haider Z. Khattak, Director, IFANCA Canada

Question: "I am writing to request permission to reprint your excellent article, "Supplements – Which, Why and When" from Halal Consumer® 16, in our newsletter. I look forward to hearing from you." – Dr. Ayesha, Compassionate Care Network, Chicago

Response: Dear Dr. Ayesha, We are pleased that you found the article informative. Please feel free to reprint it, with due credit to the author and Halal Consumer magazine as the original source. Hope you continue to enjoy our articles. We welcome your feedback. – Naazish YarKhan, Managing Editor, Halal Consumer magazine.

On the joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, IFANCA wishes everyone Eid Mubarak. May your fasting and deeds be accepted and your faith strenghtened. Let us strive to maintain the spirit of Ramadan with us throughout the year and to lend a helping hand to the many people who are suffering in our communities and around the world.

IFANCA Mentioned in the June 22, 2010 Issue of 'Dollars & Sense', a Baruch College Award-Winning Magazine

The following is an excerpt from the article, 'Kosher or Halal? American Muslims Debate Which Food Certifications To Follow':

Differing standards as to what constitutes halal also makes reliable halal certification tricky. "Muslims in North America and Europe are still not actively searching for a third-party certification symbol," says Maria Omar, IFANCA Media Relations Director. "That is something we are trying to change in the public realm. Many Muslims will take a neighborhood butcher's word on the halal status of meat, many perceive that there are no such agencies that provide certification and many are unaware of the large numbers of fraud or questionable halal certifications present today."

Some manufacturers self-certify or use certification agencies that are co-owned by the manufacturer, an obvious conflict of interest. There have been cases of certifications being issued without any inspection or regulation. "The lack of standards is a large issue in the industry," says Omar. Though a few states have halal consumer protection laws, "they have never been used even once," says Omar.

The entire article can be read here.

Demand for Halal Foods is Increasing Says Meat Trade News Daily

According to the Meat Trade News Daily, Feb. 2010 issue, in an article written by Dr. Mian Riaz, Director, Food Protein R& D Center, Texas A&M University, "demand for halal foods is increasing, not only in the U.S., Europe and Canada, but also in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, North Africa and Australia. (The) Halal consumer market/trade is the fastest growing in the world. The global halal food market is currently valued at $635 billion per year, and, according to the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America, the U.S. halal market is estimated at $17.6 billion. Besides Muslims, other segments have joined the ranks of halal consumers, as these types of foods gain worldwide recognition as being safe and hygienic. Non-Muslim consumers like them, because of their additional safety and sanitation features, making them less likely to be cross-contaminated. Therefore, there is tremendous economic opportunity for food manufacturers to meet the needs of all consumers of halal food products."

Also according to a report, in an estimation by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, "there are about 1.57 billion Muslims in the world today, and they comprise 23% of the global population of 6.8 billion. Over 60% of them live in Asia, and one-fifth in the Middle East and North Africa. More than 300 million Muslims live as minority communities. In Europe, there are an estimated 38.1 million Muslims, while about 1 million live in Canada, comprising 3.1% of the population. There are varying estimates of the Muslim population in the U.S., but most surveys place it at around 8 million." The article was also published in January 2010 by Prepared Foods magazine.

The entire article can be read here.

Ogilvy Reaffirms Size of Halal Market, Launches Division to Market to Muslims

In May 2010 the agency, Ogilvy & Mather, created a specialist global branding division, to solely concentrate on Islamic branding. The aim of the newly launched group is to tap into the Muslim market which comprises 1.8 billion people. The division, Ogilvy Noor, will be headed by experts in branding across key Muslim markets, including Asia, Europe and North Africa. Ogilvy Noor will offer advice on the best way to direct the marketing strategies and build brands that appeal to a Muslim market.

USDA Uses IFANCA as Example of Halal Certifier

A question pertinent to halal labels was posted on the USDA site. Below is the answer, which we're sure you'll find useful as well.

Question: Do I need to submit a label for a Halal, Zabiha Halal, … product that bears a foreign language for sketch approval?

Answer: Yes. When any foreign language (such as Arabic …) is on a label, sketch approval is required and direct translation of all foreign language must be included on the application. Additionally, when the label states that the food has been "Certified" Halal, Zabiha Halal, …, the name of the organization doing the certification also needs to appear on the label, and "certified" acts as a special claim that requires sketch approval. The label application needs to include documentation that demonstrates that the certifying organization's standards are met. For example, Company AZ submits a label for a Halal product labeled as "IFANCA Certified". FSIS would require Company AZ to submit confirmation from the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) that Company AZ's product meets the IFANCA requirements for certification.

IFANCA Client, Nestlé, is "Role Model" for Islamic Branding, reports WARC

As reported by WARC, "Nestlé is the leading multinational company for developing marketing strategies for Muslim consumers." WARC is a leading supplier of information, knowledge, insight and data to the global marketing, advertising, media and research communities.

Miles Young, CEO of Ogilvy & Mather, a keynote speaker at the Oxford Global Islamic Branding and Marketing Forum at the Saïd Business School, Oxford University, acknowledged Nestlé as having recognized Muslim shoppers as a significant market. "Nestlé is probably the role model for doing this properly. It has done it out of conviction – there's a commitment in everything the company does.." He added that "50% of the potential audience in the so-called "next 11" emerging economies are Muslim." However, he pointed out that just using religious connotations as a badge without understanding what it means to be a brand could be a recipe for failure. For instance, he said, Mecca Cola had been targeted to Muslim consumers without success. Brand owners must think "seriously about how they are perceived by Muslim customers."

According to the WARC White paper; Young, Muslim and Ready for Engagement by Nazia Hussain (Admap, July/August 2010, pp.36-38), "Young Muslims are keen to engage with brands, but they have high standards. They are protective of their faith and will make efforts to investigate brands. They demand honesty and integrity, reflecting the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) values, many global brands are striving to achieve. They are also loyal to those brands that reflect their values." Quoting Ogilvy Worldwide, the white paper states that Islamic branding implies empathy towards Shariah compliance or Shariah friendliness in the brand's identity, behavior and communications. Core Shariah values, it adds, are Nestlé honesty, purity, humility, community, charity, self-improvement, transparency and trustworthiness." On this scale, a survey of Muslim consumers by Ogilvy, revealed that Nestlé and Lipton are perceived as the top two Islamic brands with neither Emirates nor Etihad airlines making the cut. The survey reinforced the understanding that brands are expected to live up to Islamic values - merely adopting the label is not enough.

The entire article can be read here.

Select Gerber Baby Food Products Halal Certified

Gerber Products Company is a purveyor of baby food and baby products. Gerber became a major international player in the baby food industry, offering more than 190 products in 80 countries, with labeling in 16 languages. Gerber baby food products that are IFANCA halal-certified include Good Start 2 Supreme Soy DHA & ARA and Good Start Supreme DHA & AEA.

As mentioned on the company website, "DHA & ARA are fatty acids, or lipids, found naturally in breast-milk. They're important components of Baby's healthy brain and eye tissues. During the third trimester of pregnancy, Mom passes DHA & ARA to Baby. After Baby is born, Mom can provide DHA & ARA to Baby by breastfeeding or giving her formula with added DHA & ARA."

English Biscuit Manufacturers Uses Halal Certification to Boost Exports

IFANCA halal-certified English Biscuit Manufacturers (Private) Limited is a producer of high quality biscuits in Pakistan. It caters not only to the wide requirements of the domestic market but also exports its products to USA, Canada, UK, Middle East and African countries. English Biscuit Manufacturers exports its products in special sea worthy packing to keep its products intact during and after transit.

Besides being the makers of biscuits, English Biscuit Manufacturers (Private) Limited strongly believes in being socially responsible. It supports education, especially for females and adults and has sponsored several programs such as the Garage School, Clifton Karachi, the CHAEF (Children Health and Education Foundation) School and the Shaheen KG School in Kala Shah Kaku, Lahore. The company has also initiated an in-house literacy program for its employees by the name of Ujala. Regular donations and fundraising activities have also become part of day to day business at English Biscuit Manufacturers, as part of the company’s social responsibility initiatives. English Biscuit Manufacturers (Private) Limited is an ISO 9001:2000 & ISO 14001:2004, IIP (Investor in People) and HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) Certified Company.

Question: "I want to cook Shrimp Pasta and one of the ingredients is part-skim 2% Mozzarella Cheese and Parmesan Cheese. Which stores do you know of that carry halal-certified cheeses? How can I find them in Raleigh, NC?" - Maryam F.

Response: Cabot Cheese has certified cheeses available throughout USA. www.cabotcheese.com has an option to find a store near you. In Raleigh, NC Cabot Cheese is available at many stores including Wal-Mart. Halal-certified products carry our registered Halal logo (Crescent M). - Haider Z. Khattak, Director, IFANCA Canada

Question: "My husband bought some fish fillets only to find out they are breaded with hops. Are hops halal or haram?"

Response: Hops are the female flower clusters of a hop species, Humulus lupulus. They are used primarily as a flavoring and are also used for various purposes in various beverages and herbal medicine. Therefore, hops are Halal. - Haider Z. Khattak, Director, IFANCA Canada

Question: "I am writing to request permission to reprint your excellent article, "Supplements – Which, Why and When" from Halal Consumer® 16, in our newsletter. I look forward to hearing from you." – Dr. Ayesha, Compassionate Care Network, Chicago

Response: Dear Dr. Ayesha, We are pleased that you found the article informative. Please feel free to reprint it, with due credit to the author and Halal Consumer magazine as the original source. Hope you continue to enjoy our articles. We welcome your feedback. – Naazish YarKhan, Managing Editor, Halal Consumer magazine.

On the joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, IFANCA wishes everyone Eid Mubarak. May your fasting and deeds be accepted and your faith strenghtened. Let us strive to maintain the spirit of Ramadan with us throughout the year and to lend a helping hand to the many people who are suffering in our communities and around the world.

IFANCA Mentioned in the June 22, 2010 Issue of 'Dollars & Sense', a Baruch College Award-Winning Magazine

The following is an excerpt from the article, 'Kosher or Halal? American Muslims Debate Which Food Certifications To Follow':

Differing standards as to what constitutes halal also makes reliable halal certification tricky. "Muslims in North America and Europe are still not actively searching for a third-party certification symbol," says Maria Omar, IFANCA Media Relations Director. "That is something we are trying to change in the public realm. Many Muslims will take a neighborhood butcher's word on the halal status of meat, many perceive that there are no such agencies that provide certification and many are unaware of the large numbers of fraud or questionable halal certifications present today."

Some manufacturers self-certify or use certification agencies that are co-owned by the manufacturer, an obvious conflict of interest. There have been cases of certifications being issued without any inspection or regulation. "The lack of standards is a large issue in the industry," says Omar. Though a few states have halal consumer protection laws, "they have never been used even once," says Omar.

The entire article can be read here.

Demand for Halal Foods is Increasing Says Meat Trade News Daily

According to the Meat Trade News Daily, Feb. 2010 issue, in an article written by Dr. Mian Riaz, Director, Food Protein R& D Center, Texas A&M University, "demand for halal foods is increasing, not only in the U.S., Europe and Canada, but also in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, North Africa and Australia. (The) Halal consumer market/trade is the fastest growing in the world. The global halal food market is currently valued at $635 billion per year, and, according to the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America, the U.S. halal market is estimated at $17.6 billion. Besides Muslims, other segments have joined the ranks of halal consumers, as these types of foods gain worldwide recognition as being safe and hygienic. Non-Muslim consumers like them, because of their additional safety and sanitation features, making them less likely to be cross-contaminated. Therefore, there is tremendous economic opportunity for food manufacturers to meet the needs of all consumers of halal food products."

Also according to a report, in an estimation by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, "there are about 1.57 billion Muslims in the world today, and they comprise 23% of the global population of 6.8 billion. Over 60% of them live in Asia, and one-fifth in the Middle East and North Africa. More than 300 million Muslims live as minority communities. In Europe, there are an estimated 38.1 million Muslims, while about 1 million live in Canada, comprising 3.1% of the population. There are varying estimates of the Muslim population in the U.S., but most surveys place it at around 8 million." The article was also published in January 2010 by Prepared Foods magazine.

The entire article can be read here.

Ogilvy Reaffirms Size of Halal Market, Launches Division to Market to Muslims

In May 2010 the agency, Ogilvy & Mather, created a specialist global branding division, to solely concentrate on Islamic branding. The aim of the newly launched group is to tap into the Muslim market which comprises 1.8 billion people. The division, Ogilvy Noor, will be headed by experts in branding across key Muslim markets, including Asia, Europe and North Africa. Ogilvy Noor will offer advice on the best way to direct the marketing strategies and build brands that appeal to a Muslim market.

USDA Uses IFANCA as Example of Halal Certifier

A question pertinent to halal labels was posted on the USDA site. Below is the answer, which we're sure you'll find useful as well.

Question: Do I need to submit a label for a Halal, Zabiha Halal, … product that bears a foreign language for sketch approval?

Answer: Yes. When any foreign language (such as Arabic …) is on a label, sketch approval is required and direct translation of all foreign language must be included on the application. Additionally, when the label states that the food has been "Certified" Halal, Zabiha Halal, …, the name of the organization doing the certification also needs to appear on the label, and "certified" acts as a special claim that requires sketch approval. The label application needs to include documentation that demonstrates that the certifying organization's standards are met. For example, Company AZ submits a label for a Halal product labeled as "IFANCA Certified". FSIS would require Company AZ to submit confirmation from the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) that Company AZ's product meets the IFANCA requirements for certification.

IFANCA Client, Nestlé, is "Role Model" for Islamic Branding, reports WARC

As reported by WARC, "Nestlé is the leading multinational company for developing marketing strategies for Muslim consumers." WARC is a leading supplier of information, knowledge, insight and data to the global marketing, advertising, media and research communities.

Miles Young, CEO of Ogilvy & Mather, a keynote speaker at the Oxford Global Islamic Branding and Marketing Forum at the Saïd Business School, Oxford University, acknowledged Nestlé as having recognized Muslim shoppers as a significant market. "Nestlé is probably the role model for doing this properly. It has done it out of conviction – there's a commitment in everything the company does.." He added that "50% of the potential audience in the so-called "next 11" emerging economies are Muslim." However, he pointed out that just using religious connotations as a badge without understanding what it means to be a brand could be a recipe for failure. For instance, he said, Mecca Cola had been targeted to Muslim consumers without success. Brand owners must think "seriously about how they are perceived by Muslim customers."

According to the WARC White paper; Young, Muslim and Ready for Engagement by Nazia Hussain (Admap, July/August 2010, pp.36-38), "Young Muslims are keen to engage with brands, but they have high standards. They are protective of their faith and will make efforts to investigate brands. They demand honesty and integrity, reflecting the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) values, many global brands are striving to achieve. They are also loyal to those brands that reflect their values." Quoting Ogilvy Worldwide, the white paper states that Islamic branding implies empathy towards Shariah compliance or Shariah friendliness in the brand's identity, behavior and communications. Core Shariah values, it adds, are Nestlé honesty, purity, humility, community, charity, self-improvement, transparency and trustworthiness." On this scale, a survey of Muslim consumers by Ogilvy, revealed that Nestlé and Lipton are perceived as the top two Islamic brands with neither Emirates nor Etihad airlines making the cut. The survey reinforced the understanding that brands are expected to live up to Islamic values - merely adopting the label is not enough.

The entire article can be read here.

Select Gerber Baby Food Products Halal Certified

Gerber Products Company is a purveyor of baby food and baby products. Gerber became a major international player in the baby food industry, offering more than 190 products in 80 countries, with labeling in 16 languages. Gerber baby food products that are IFANCA halal-certified include Good Start 2 Supreme Soy DHA & ARA and Good Start Supreme DHA & AEA.

As mentioned on the company website, "DHA & ARA are fatty acids, or lipids, found naturally in breast-milk. They're important components of Baby's healthy brain and eye tissues. During the third trimester of pregnancy, Mom passes DHA & ARA to Baby. After Baby is born, Mom can provide DHA & ARA to Baby by breastfeeding or giving her formula with added DHA & ARA."

English Biscuit Manufacturers Uses Halal Certification to Boost Exports

IFANCA halal-certified English Biscuit Manufacturers (Private) Limited is a producer of high quality biscuits in Pakistan. It caters not only to the wide requirements of the domestic market but also exports its products to USA, Canada, UK, Middle East and African countries. English Biscuit Manufacturers exports its products in special sea worthy packing to keep its products intact during and after transit.

Besides being the makers of biscuits, English Biscuit Manufacturers (Private) Limited strongly believes in being socially responsible. It supports education, especially for females and adults and has sponsored several programs such as the Garage School, Clifton Karachi, the CHAEF (Children Health and Education Foundation) School and the Shaheen KG School in Kala Shah Kaku, Lahore. The company has also initiated an in-house literacy program for its employees by the name of Ujala. Regular donations and fundraising activities have also become part of day to day business at English Biscuit Manufacturers, as part of the company’s social responsibility initiatives. English Biscuit Manufacturers (Private) Limited is an ISO 9001:2000 & ISO 14001:2004, IIP (Investor in People) and HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) Certified Company.

Question: "I want to cook Shrimp Pasta and one of the ingredients is part-skim 2% Mozzarella Cheese and Parmesan Cheese. Which stores do you know of that carry halal-certified cheeses? How can I find them in Raleigh, NC?" - Maryam F.

Response: Cabot Cheese has certified cheeses available throughout USA. www.cabotcheese.com has an option to find a store near you. In Raleigh, NC Cabot Cheese is available at many stores including Wal-Mart. Halal-certified products carry our registered Halal logo (Crescent M). - Haider Z. Khattak, Director, IFANCA Canada

Question: "My husband bought some fish fillets only to find out they are breaded with hops. Are hops halal or haram?"

Response: Hops are the female flower clusters of a hop species, Humulus lupulus. They are used primarily as a flavoring and are also used for various purposes in various beverages and herbal medicine. Therefore, hops are Halal. - Haider Z. Khattak, Director, IFANCA Canada

Question: "I am writing to request permission to reprint your excellent article, "Supplements – Which, Why and When" from Halal Consumer® 16, in our newsletter. I look forward to hearing from you." – Dr. Ayesha, Compassionate Care Network, Chicago

Response: Dear Dr. Ayesha, We are pleased that you found the article informative. Please feel free to reprint it, with due credit to the author and Halal Consumer magazine as the original source. Hope you continue to enjoy our articles. We welcome your feedback. – Naazish YarKhan, Managing Editor, Halal Consumer magazine.