HMC
HFA
HFA
Halal Certification Boards
UK Halal Certification Boards
The UK has no government halal standard. Private boards and organisations each issue their own logos — with different rules on stunning, slaughter method, and supply-chain monitoring.
Certification marks
HMC and HFA are the two schemes most often seen on UK high streets, school catering contracts, and supermarket packaging. The hero collage above spotlights their main logos; below are sticker and seal variants gathered from public websites.
HMC
Non-stun only
HFA
Stunned permitted
HFA
Stunned permitted
Logos and marks from UK certification bodies including HMC (halalhmc.org) and HFA (halalfoodauthority.com), shown for research context.
Close view of halal slaughter being carried out on a sheep
Source: Still from “HALAL SLAUGHTERHOUSE EXPOSED IN ENGLAND (EXTREMELY GRAPHIC)”, Joey Carbstrong / YouTube. Watch on YouTube
UK certifiers & organisations
This is a working list of bodies commonly cited in the UK halal food sector. It is not exhaustive — new schemes appear and others withdraw. Stunning policy is summarised in broad terms; always check each body's current published standard.
There is no legal requirement to use any particular certifier. A product labelled “halal” may rely on self-certification, a private logo, or no mark at all.
| Organisation | Stunning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC) halalhmc.orgMajor UK scheme; publishes certified outlet directories including schools, butchers and restaurants. | Non-stun only | Major UK scheme; publishes certified outlet directories including schools, butchers and restaurants. |
Halal Food Authority (HFA) halalfoodauthority.comOne of the oldest UK certifiers; widely used by supermarkets and manufacturers. Issues multiple logo variants. | Stunned permitted | One of the oldest UK certifiers; widely used by supermarkets and manufacturers. Issues multiple logo variants. |
Halal Food Council of Europe (HFCE) Certifies food businesses and products; often seen on imported and processed goods in UK retail. | Varies by product | Certifies food businesses and products; often seen on imported and processed goods in UK retail. |
Halal Certification Europe (HCE) European-focused body with UK-certified suppliers and abattoirs in its public listings. | Not stated | European-focused body with UK-certified suppliers and abattoirs in its public listings. |
European Halal Development Agency (EHDA) ehda.co.ukUK-registered agency offering halal certification and compliance services to food businesses. | Not stated | UK-registered agency offering halal certification and compliance services to food businesses. |
Sharia Halal Board (SHB) Independent certification board operating in the UK halal food sector. | Not stated | Independent certification board operating in the UK halal food sector. |
Halal Trust halaltrust.orgLong-established name in UK halal certification; standards should be checked against current published policy. | Not stated | Long-established name in UK halal certification; standards should be checked against current published policy. |
Universal Halal Agency (UHA) Listed among active UK private halal certification schemes in industry directories. | Not stated | Listed among active UK private halal certification schemes in industry directories. |
Muslim Food Board (MFB) Certification and advisory body referenced in UK halal industry comparisons. | Not stated | Certification and advisory body referenced in UK halal industry comparisons. |
UK Islamic Mission (UKIM) National Muslim organisation; halal certification activity is cited in third-party halal scheme guides. | Not stated | National Muslim organisation; halal certification activity is cited in third-party halal scheme guides. |
Institute of Islamic Jurisprudence (IIF) Scholarly body sometimes associated with halal rulings and certification oversight in the UK. | Not stated | Scholarly body sometimes associated with halal rulings and certification oversight in the UK. |
Tayyab Food Certification Smaller UK certifier name appearing in halal scheme comparison lists. | Not stated | Smaller UK certifier name appearing in halal scheme comparison lists. |
Deeper profiles for individual boards (policies, FOI evidence, outlet data) will be added here as research is completed. HMC is the first full entry below.
HMC (Halal Monitoring Committee)
halalhmc.org — HMC certifies non-stunned halal slaughter only (no stunned product under the HMC logo).
The charity describes itself as independent and not-for-profit; it monitors, inspects and certifies halal products for the Muslim community. Figures and the member list below are taken from its homepage and will change as the site is updated.
Halal Monitoring Committee: Barbaric, no stun Halal. Income as a charity: £2.74m 2024 Head: Shaykh Yunus Dudhwala: simultaneously NHS Head of Chaplaincy at Barts Health, former Belmarsh Prison imam, and NHS Employee of the Year 2010. A significant dual public/religious role.
Certified outlets by category (HMC homepage)
- Restaurants & takeaways443
- Dessert shops10
- Butchers248
- Caterers10
- Schools69
- Meat suppliers91
- Non-meat suppliers37
Latest members to join HMC (homepage list)
Karamay Uyghur Cuisine
63 London Road, Leicester LE2 0PE
Leytonstone Kebabish
755 High Road, Leytonstone, London E11 4QS
Naafiah
Unit 1, Place De Creil, Nelson BB9 9AN
Isa Halal
511 Stratford Road, Sparkhill, Birmingham B11 4LP
New Jersey Hot Chicken
Unit 5, Alfred’s Way, Batley WF17 5DR
Restaurant 47
53 Leicester Road, Wigston, Leicester LE18 1NR
Madina Halal Meat & Grocery
9 Dugdale Street, Nuneaton CV11 5QJ
Da Afghan Bazaar
54 Uppingham Road, Leicester LE5 0QE
Ali Halal Meat
357 Green Lane, Seven Kings, London IG3 9TQ
Shah Doner Express
210 Green Lane Road, Leicester LE5 4PA