Feeding the future: How IFANCA's Halal Food Conference is shaping a more ethical, inclusive, and sustainable world

In an increasingly fractured global landscape, where conflict, climate change, and chronic illness are reshaping the way we live, one question has become impossible to ignore: What does it mean to eat well in the 21st century? For the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA), the answer is clear: halal is not simply about dietary restriction but about dignity, discipline, sustainability, and shared humanity.

These ethos and vision were front and centre at IFANCA's 22nd International Halal Food Conference, held from April 14–15, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago. Under the theme "Navigating change together: Connecting the global halal community," the gathering brought together scholars, regulators, scientists, and industry leaders from over ten countries. What unfolded was more than a technical exchange about certification standards; it was a call to reimagine the global food economy through an ethical lens grounded in faith, justice, and cooperation.

Summing up about the importance of the conference, Dr. Muhammad Munir Chaudry, President and CEO of IFANCA, noted, “This conference is not just a platform for dialogue but a collaborative engine to shape the future of the Halal industry. Our mission at IFANCA is to ensure Halal integrity while fostering global cooperation.”