In a very short statement, halal food refers to foodstuffs that are prepared completely in accordance with Islamic rules from the farm to the table of consumers. In a broader sense, halal food, animal, vegetable, chemical and microbiological food products, starting from the handling of raw materials, auxiliary substances, components, additives, processing methods, operating conditions and packaging work is the expression of all the processes are in accordance with Islamic principles.
As a matter of fact, the concept of halal food is not a new concept. There is already the concept of halal food in the religions before the emergence of Islam. The Kosher principles that the Jews try to obey are in the Torah. In the Qur'an, there are many verses. In the Ottoman era, the stamp of tahir was largely related to halal food. It is considered the first example of halal food certification of the Irrit stamp, if not in its current form. The basis of this practice in Ottoman times, Hz. It is based on Hisbe Organization founded by Omar.
Nowadays, the concept of halal food is discussed at international level and certification studies are carried out in this direction. International halal codex studies as well as practices and discussions regarding standardization and certification are ongoing. In this uncertainty environment, many governmental or private institutions continue to work on the establishment of halal food standards and certification of halal food. In the meantime, international quality organizations are also conducting certification work.
In our country, halal food studies are generally carried out by the Food and Needs Supervision and Certification Research Association, in short Gimdes, some non-governmental organizations and Turkish Standards Institute (TSE).
Among these, Gimdes has been carrying out these works since 2005. First of all, publications were made for understanding and settling of halal food consciousness in humans and then started accreditation studies in 2009. Gimdes is a member of many domestic and foreign organizations and is the first certification body in our country.
When the Turkish Standards Institute started certification studies in 2011, it gained an official identity as halal food. TSE applies three basic standards regarding halal food. The three standards published by the Institute of Standards and Metrology of Islamic Countries (SMIIC), based in Istanbul, are as follows:
• TS OIC / SMIIC 1: General guide to 2011 halal food
• TS OIC / SMIIC 2: Guide for organizations with 2011 Halal certification
• TS OIC / SMIIC 3: Accreditation body guide accrediting 2011 Halal certification bodies
Halal food certificate was first given in Malaysia in the world. The halal food is carried out by the Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) of the Malaysian Government. The World Halal Foundation is headquartered in Malzeya. This foundation has prepared the halal food standard which is accredited by the United Nations and which is valid all over the world. The Foundation has around 60 members and accredits each other.
There are around 2 billion Muslim populations in the world, and the halal food market size is 20 percent of the world population. Today, it is important that many domestic and foreign organizations make halal certification in terms of showing the dimension that this market has come from. This ratio is expected to approach 30 percent in the coming years. In addition, the fact that the halal food certificate means superiority in terms of hygiene and quality of foodstuffs has an impact on non-Muslim people. Therefore, the halal food market will hold an important place in world trade in the future.
Today, the halal certificate is issued after the audits carried out by reliable, independent and impartial certification bodies with Islamic information. The halal food certificate proves that the production of foodstuffs is carried out in accordance with halal food standards. It also proves that health and hygiene conditions are provided and quality production is made in the production processes of foodstuffs. Halal certificate companies also comply with ISO 9001 Quality Management System standards.