U.S. halal certifier IFANCA widening role to ’bring people together at a different level’

Photo for illustrative purposes only. Commuters walk in downtown Chicago, Illinois. The Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA), based in Park Ridge, Illinois, is holding its first 'I Heart Halal' lifetyle festival from April 13-15, 2018 at the famous Navy Pier in downtown Chicago. Getty Images

There are several halal certifiers based in the United States but only one that is recognized by three key Islamic economies Indonesia, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates, according to latest published lists from the countries’ national-level authorities. Illinois-based Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) may have already made its name abroad as a leading U.S. halal certifier but at home the 36-year old institution is stepping up efforts to build a wider Islamic economy ecosystem.   

“[W]e keep honing on halal, halal meat, zabiha halal, and we are not getting anywhere with that in the USA. Everybody has their own definition of halal … and the consumer is more complacent in the USA,” IFANCA president Dr. Muhammad Munir Chaudry told Salaam Gateway.

“Meanwhile, something is happening at the same time, in Dubai, in Kuala Lumpur. It is the awareness of halal, not about food only, it is everything; it is lifestyle going all the way to tourism and everywhere the food is served, everywhere Muslims are,” said Dr. Chaudry.