FIANZ As A Certifying Agency

As part of its objective to help Muslims of New Zealand as well as around the world, FIANZ undertakes to certify food and non-food items as well as restaurants and eateries as Halal. This certification validates such food items as being permissible for Muslims. This certification is done by FIANZ only after it has carefully surveyed and inspected the processing/manufacturing plant from where the product is originating. The fact that FIANZ is a body made up of Muslim representatives drawn from across the Muslim community of New Zealand rather than a commercial organization, gives it more credence vis-a-vis other 'Halal' certifying agencies in New Zealand which are mainly proprietary commercial businesses. FIANZ's Halal certificates are acceptable all over the Middle East, USA, and Europe as well as in South East Asia as well as in all other countries where NZ products are exported.

Muftis from Malaysian National Fatwa Council
with the Malaysian High Commissioner HE Sopian Ahmad and FIANZ Officials.

The critical factors considered, but not necessarily restricted to, in issuing Halal certification is:

• The item in question has neither been mixed/contaminated and or kept in touch with pig, pork and pork products nor with any meat and meat products that has not been slaughtered/prepared in line with the Islamic methods.

• The item does not contain any traces of alcohol nor has it been treated with alcohol.

FIANZ has been Halal certifying bulk of the meat, meat products as well as other food items exported from NZ as well as consumed in the local market. Requests for Halal Certification originate from the specific buyer/importer or it may be an essential pre- requisite of the importing country itself (as is the case with most Islamic countries in the Middle East).

Products That Are/Can Be Halal Certified

Products that are presently Halal certified or can be Halal certified by FIANZ include food, food products as well as other miscellaneous items of day-to-day use that are or may be used by Muslims. Such products broadly fall into following groups:

1. Food Items

• Meat & Meat products whether in the raw and/or processed form.

• Non-meat products whether in the raw, cooked and/or processed form, including but not limited to: appetizers, bakery and confectionery products, dairy products, dressings and condiments, fish and processed fish items, food ingredients, gelatins and desserts, pasta/pizzas, poultry - whole and parts, sauces, spices and seasonings, processed vegetables

• Non-alcoholic drinks including fruit juices, syrups, sweeteners, tea, coffee and other beverages

2. Non-food Items

• Cosmetics and personal care items

• Healthcare products including medicines and nutritional/dietary supplements

3. Eateries, Restaurants and butcheries.

4. Retail outlets, including supermarkets etc where Halal edible products are sold.

Standards To Be Achieved Before Use Of Certification Is Permitted

The minimum standards to be achieved before FIANZ would allow use of the Halal Certification differs from product to product. These can broadly be classified by following categories:

• For Meat Products

• The animal has been slaughtered by Muslims in accordance with the Islamic Shariah (Religious Guidelines).

• The slaughtered animal as well as its meat has not been contaminated, mixed and/or kept in touch with non-Halal meat during transportation, storage or display etc.

• For All Other Food & Non-Food Products.

• Alcohol and intoxicants have not been used in the preparation and/or storage of the products under certification;

• There is no use of pig and/or pig products in the making/preparation of individual products

• Beef, Lamb and chicken are to be sourced from Halal certified abattoirs.

• Beef, Lamb and chicken are to be sourced from Halal certified abattoirs.

To ensure total compliance of the aforementioned standards before FIANZ permits the use of Halal Certification mark, FIANZ has a well-defined guideline and procedures that has been in implementation for several years now.

Extract from the FIANZ Halal Manual dated 08 April 2004.