As awareness of Halaal continues to grow, so too has the temptation for unscrupulous operators to exploit consumer trust through false or misleading claims of Halaal certification. Misrepresentation is one of the greatest threats to consumer confidence. It is unlawful, unfair to the public, prejudicial to businesses that invest in legitimate certification, and undermines the very purpose of independent Halaal assurance. 

The deception takes many forms. Some businesses unlawfully display registered or generic Halaal logos on their premises, menus, advertisements, websites or social media without authorisation. Others falsely claim to be “SANHA approved” or “SANHA certified” when no such certification exists. In other instances, consumers are presented with documents that appear convincing but do not constitute proof of Halaal certification. 

One of the most common forms of misrepresentation involves the misuse of SANHA’s Letter of Confirmation (LOC). 

A Letter of Confirmation is issued exclusively to a SANHA-certified company as supporting documentation confirming the Halaal status of products manufactured under its certification program. It facilitates business transactions within the supply chain and cannot be used by a third party company to make any Halaal claim. 

Every Letter of Confirmation incorporates strict safeguards outlined hereunder: 

* It is issued in the name of the specific SANHA-certified company; 

* It is non-transferable; 

* It bears an expiry date; 

* It contains a unique control number; 

* It clearly states that it is not for display purposes. 

Despite these safeguards, some third party businesses misuse the LOC to create the false impression that their business is Halaal certified. 

Buying or selling Halaal-certified products does not automatically make a retailer, restaurant, distributor or caterer Halaal certified. Independent Halaal certification encompasses the entire operation, including the verification of ingredients and processing aids, manufacturing or preparation procedures, storage and handling practices, cleaning systems, measures to prevent cross-contamination, traceability, regular audits and continuous authorised oversight. These safeguards cannot be waived simply because products may be sourced from a certified supplier. 

SANHA has even encountered establishments serving alcohol that attempt to substantiate Halaal claims by presenting invoices for meat supplied by a certified butcher. Invoices merely show where products were purchased. They can never serve as proof that an establishment or the meals it serves are Halaal certified. Such claims are misleading, contrary to the principles of Shari’ah and unfairly exploit consumers’ trust. 

The issue extends beyond legal compliance. It concerns honesty, transparency and respect for the religious convictions of consumers who rely on authentic Halaal certification to fulfil their religious obligations with confidence. 

Consumers should therefore exercise caution whenever ‘Halaal claims’ are made. A genuine Halaal certificate identifies the certified business and premises and is issued by the certifying authority. Supporting documents, invoices or another company’s Letter of Confirmation should never be accepted as proof that a business itself is Halaal certified. 

When in doubt, call the SANHA Consumer Helpline to verify the certification. 

An informed consumer remains the strongest defence against deception. 

For three decades, SANHA has remained committed to protecting the integrity of Halaal certification through independent verification, continuous monitoring and adherence to the required Shari’ah principles. We will continue to safeguard consumers against misleading claims and protect their right to make informed Halaal choices. 

Exercise your right to consume authentic Halaal. Challenge misleading claims, report suspected misrepresentation and help protect the integrity of Halaal certification for the benefit of the entire community.