​KARACHI, Pakistan (December 4, 2010) — According to the consultancy group, A.T. Kearney, companies that develop “halal brands” will be at the forefront of the US$ 2 trillion global halal economy. Halal, indeed, is the latest global “it” market. Dr. Muhammad Munir Chaudry, president of Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA®), was a panelist at the Global Halal Congress (GHC) held in Pakistan on December 4, 2010. He spoke on Benefits of Halal Certification as part of the inaugural panel.

The GHC is an international conference that aims to provide up-to-date information about the Pakistani Halal market. The conference’s first theme is “Halal and Islamic Business,” a theme designed to introduce Pakistan as a major supplier of halal products to leading halal industry experts and international halal certifiers. The GHC plans to enable Pakistani business professionals, ranging from food and beverage to logistic and packaging, to identify potential investment and trading opportunities in the global halal market.

Dr. Chaudry is a pioneer in the field of halal certification. Under his guidance, IFANCA has risen to become a world leader with more than 30,000 certified products for 2,500 companies. IFANCA halal-certified products are sold in almost every nation around the globe. A food industry veteran with expertise in various technical and management skills, he is also the author of several papers and co-author of Halal Food Production, the single most widely used text on halal certification.

Speaking to an audience of exporters and businessmen, Dr. Chaudry emphasized how integral halal certification was to any business interested in the halal export market. Citing Malaysia as an example, he noted that its exports of halal food products to the OIC countries had increased to about US$640 million in 2007. He added that according to Malaysian government projections, Malaysia’s exports were expected to rise to US$900 million by the end of 2010.

Similarly, he said Singapore’s total food exports to the Middle East hovered at $211 million in 2009. Halal certification applications in Singapore had almost tripled; from 600 applications to more than 1,600; from 2000 to 2005, according to Singapore sources.

IFANCA certifies food and pharmaceutical ingredients for use globally. Its clients include multinationals such as PepsiCo, Nestle, Pfizer, Merck, Kraft, ConAgra Foods, Mead Johnson Nutrition, International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF), Firmenich, Abbott Labs, and Unilever, among others. IFANCA also works with small and mid-sized companies, co-operatives, and start-ups, in a variety of industries.

Speaking of the potential for imports to the USA, he observed that “the American Muslim market alone is estimated to be US $170 billion and the American Muslim food market is valued at US $20 billion.” IFANCA halal-certified products can be found in mega-chains ranging from Albertsons to Walmart, on multi-level distribution networks, and even online.

Dr. Chaudry also mentioned the heightened focus on halal lifestyle products. He spoke of IFANCA clients including Sunrider, Amway, Melaleuca, USANA, Tom’s of Maine, and Labayk Products – all of whom manufacture halal personal care and beauty products.

IFANCA frequently presents at halal, marketing, food, restaurant, and consumer conferences. It shares its experience as a halal certifier for both consumer and foodservice products all over the world.

IFANCA’s Crescent ‘M’ symbol signifies that certified products are free from haram ingredients and permissible to Muslims. Dr. Chaudry reiterated that halal certification by an internationally recognized, experienced third party source such as IFANCA was key to fueling business growth in international markets.

 

IFANCA

Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA), is one of the world’s leading and well respected not-for-profit halal-certification organizations. Featured in various media such as the Wall Street Journal, Prepared Foods, and CNN, IFANCA has been promoting halal for the past 28 years. IFANCA was recognized in the Best Halal Related Service Provider Award by the Halal Journal at World Halal Forum 2007. IFANCA certified halal products are recognized by Indonesia (M.U.I), Malaysia (JAKIM), Singapore (M.U.I.S), U.A.E., and many other countries.

For more information about IFANCA, visit www.ifanca.org.

 

Contact:
Maria Omar
+1-773-283-3708
m.omar@ifanca.org