{"id":9397,"date":"2025-04-17T17:20:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T09:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/business\/?p=9397"},"modified":"2025-04-17T17:22:17","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T09:22:17","slug":"how-apply-halal-certification-fb-singapore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dollarsandsense.sg\/business\/how-apply-halal-certification-fb-singapore\/","title":{"rendered":"Halal Certification For F&B Businesses: How To Apply & How Much It Costs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We live in a multi-racial and multi-religious society in Singapore. This allows us to enjoy a diverse array of cuisines, and for some of us, we take it a notch further with our self-proclamation as foodies as we go on food hunts. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the Muslim community, the Halal certification makes it easy for consumers to identify and be assured that the food and beverage (F&B) businesses meet the requirements by the Muis Halal Certification. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The global Halal food market was estimated to be around US$2.3 trillion in 2022, and as the world\u2019s Muslim population is expected to grow, may increase to 7.5 trillion by 2032. Here\u2019s what F&B businesses that intend to serve this growing market need to know about applying for Halal certification in Singapore. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does \u201cHalal Food\u201d Mean?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHalal\u201d is the Arabic word for lawful or allowable. All Halal foods and beverages are permissible for Muslims to enjoy unless they are clearly forbidden (haram) in the Quran (holy book of Islam) and Hadith (prophetic sayings). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, here\u2019s a short (non-exhaustive) list of Halal and non-Halal animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Halal Animals<\/strong><\/td>Non-Halal Animals (Haram)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
All domestic birds<\/td>Birds of prey. E.g. falcons, eagles, owls<\/td><\/tr>
All cattle<\/td>Meat of swine (pig) including all its by products<\/td><\/tr>
Sheep<\/td>Meat of an animal that was not blessed with the name of Allah at the time of slaughter<\/td><\/tr>
Goats<\/td>Reptiles, snakes, crocodiles<\/td><\/tr>
Fish<\/td>Carnivorous animals with fangs. E.g. dogs, lions, tiger<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The animals that are considered Halal, with the exception of fish, will only be considered Halal when they are slaughtered according to certain guidelines. This includes the slaughter man being a Muslim and invoking the name of Allah or reciting some prayers prior to the slaughter of the animal. There are also guidelines on how the arteries of the animal must be severed to render the meat Halal.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Given that it is a religious dietary requirement for Muslims to consume only Halal food, F&B businesses planning to cater to the Muslim community should apply for the Halal certificate, which gives greater assurance to the Muslim consumers about the food served.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Halal Certification?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In Singapore, the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Muis), also known as the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, is the only organisation with the vested legal powers under the Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA) to issue Halal certificates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before applying, you should read through the conditions for Halal certification, and pass a Halal Competency Assessment (HCA). This is mandatory for Owner Representatives and Muslim Personnel under the Eating Establishment Category, and Halal Team Leader and Halal Assurance Office for all other categories. This will cost $125 (before GST), and is SkillsFuture Credit claimable, and will be valid for 5 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thereafter, you should note that there are 3 types of requirements in the Halal application process. The first requirement is the Halal requirement<\/strong>, which requires all raw materials used to be Halal and substantiated with supporting documents. The second requirement is the staffing requirement<\/strong>, where at least 2 (or 3 for Catering or Central Kitchen application) Muslim staff are employed in each premises applying for Halal certification. The third and last is the systems requirement<\/strong>, whereby the applicant must comply with the 10 principles of the Singapore Muis Halal Quality Management System (HalMQ).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, there will be a series of desktop and site audits to determine if the company is capable of maintaining and complying with Muis Halal conditions and requirements. Furthermore, unannounced periodic checks will be conducted post-certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read Also: Guide To Start A Hawker Stall Business In Singapore<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Types of Businesses Can Apply For Halal Certification?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are 7 types of Halal certification schemes that come under Muis that caters to the various categories of food and food-related industries. They are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1 Eating Establishment Scheme<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Issued to retail food establishments such as restaurants, school canteen stalls, snack bars, bakery shops, stalls in foodcourt or temporary stalls in bazaars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2 Endorsement Scheme<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Issued to imported or exported products that have been certified in the country of origin by Muis-recognised Halal certification bodies.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3 Food Preparation Area Scheme<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Issued to catering establishments and central kitchen facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4 Product Scheme<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Issued to products which are manufactured or partly manufactured\/processed in Singapore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5 Storage Facility Scheme<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Issued to stationary and mobile storage facilities, such as warehouses and coldrooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6 Whole Plant Scheme<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Issued to manufacturing facilities and all products manufactured therein.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7 Poultry Abattoir Scheme<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Issued to poultry abattoirs for their freshly slaughtered poultry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based on the available certification schemes, the Eating Establishment (EE) Scheme is most relevant to retail F&B businesses like restaurants or food stalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Halal Requirement For All Ingredients And Food Products<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the first requirements that applicants need to fulfill is the halal requirement. Under the EE scheme, several conditions must be met to obtain the Halal certificate. We highlight some of the key conditions regarding the Halal requirement for ingredients and food products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n