OIC forum chases unified halal food standards and procedures

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) General Secretariat in Jeddah yesterday opened a two-day forum on unifying halal standards and procedures. The event is attended by governmental and non-governmental agencies as well as private sector and OIC stakeholder institutions. 

Recommendations arising from the forum will be submitted to the OIC Council of Ministers next year. 

There are currently over 300 halal certifiers globally and contradictory practices and standards has been an issue identified as hindering the development of the overall halal food and beverages and ingredients sectors, which also include pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. 

The OIC's Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC) was established in 2010 to achieve uniformity in metrology, laboratory testing and standardisation activities among the 57 member states of the OIC. Dialogues among OIC countries are ongoing towards harmonisation of halal standards.