The Uttar Pradesh government has set a stringent 15-day ultimatum for outlet chains, retailers, and department stores to eliminate halal-certified food items from their shelves. This directive follows the state’s ban on the production, storage, distribution, and sale of halal-certified products implemented on November 18.
The Department of Food Safety has taken decisive action by confiscating a range of halal-certified items, including sugar, oil, bakery products, sauces, and rice, sourced from states like Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, as well as Gurgaon in Harayna.
Anita Singh, the Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration, revealed that since the enforcement of the ban on halal-certified products in Uttar Pradesh on November 18, the state has witnessed 92 raids and approximately 500 inspections. The outcome has been the seizure of around 3,000 kg of halal-certified products valued at Rs 7-8 lakh.
Seizure of Halal-Certified Items and Inspection Plans
Despite pleas from the Retailers Association of India and major chains like Spencer for a one-month grace period, the government has insisted on a 15-day timeframe for the removal of halal-certified products. The Department of Food Safety has confiscated various halal-certified items, including sugar, oil, bakery items, sauces, and rice, originating from states such as Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, as well as Gurgaon.
Over the next two weeks, the department will conduct inspections to ensure compliance with the new directive but will refrain from taking any penal action during this period. While the status of imported halal-certified goods remains unclear, officials suggest that they are unlikely to fall under the purview of the current ban.
Impact on Manufacturers
In a bid to enforce the ban more comprehensively, the Uttar Pradesh government has directed 92 manufacturers within the state, who had previously obtained halal certification from non-accredited organisations, to recall their products and undergo necessary rebranding or repackaging.
The move aims to regulate the sale of halal-certified products in the state, with an emphasis on ensuring that manufacturers comply with the government’s directive. The 15-day ultimatum provides manufacturers and retailers a limited timeframe to adjust their inventory and practises.
Outlook on Inspections
The Department of Food Safety plans to intensify inspections over the next two weeks to monitor the removal of halal-certified products from stores. While retailers and superstore chains are urged to comply with the government’s directive, no penal action is slated during this initial period.
The government’s stance on imported halal-certified goods remains uncertain, creating a potential area of consideration for further clarification in the ongoing implementation of the ban.
The Uttar Pradesh government’s stringent measures against halal-certified foods reflect a broader regulatory approach aimed at reshaping the food market within the state. As the 15-day deadline unfolds, manufacturers, retailers, and consumers will closely observe the impact of these directives on the availability and sale of halal-certified products in Uttar Pradesh.
