Ministry Creates Specialized Working Group to Regulate Food Compliance

The Omani Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has formed a new working group dedicated to overseeing halal food regulations following Ministerial Decision No 215/2025, issued by Minister H E Dr Saud bin Hamoud bin Ahmed al Habsi on August 16, 2025.

Committee Structure and Leadership

The newly established committee operates under the leadership of the Director of the Department of Food Specifications and Conformity within the ministry. The working group includes representatives from the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, ensuring religious guidance in the regulatory process.

Key Responsibilities and Mandate

– Regulatory Framework Development

The working group has been tasked with establishing comprehensive controls and requirements for halal food products. This includes reviewing and updating existing technical regulations to ensure they meet current standards and practices.

– Certification and Inspection Oversight

The committee will re-evaluate approvals previously granted to food establishments that export meat and poultry products to Oman. Additionally, they will coordinate international inspections of exporters who have received certification from recognized halal authorities.

– Local and International Compliance

The group plans to conduct on-site visits to domestic food producers while developing a comprehensive framework for accrediting foreign food establishments. They will also work on governance improvements by establishing a system for appointing authorized halal-certification organizations that align with international benchmarks.

Understanding Halal Food Standards

Halal food, meaning “permissible” in Arabic, adheres to dietary principles outlined in Islamic scripture, with emphasis on cleanliness, ethical treatment of animals, and maintaining proper hygiene standards. The certification process involves thorough auditing of food preparation methods to ensure the entire supply chain—from animal slaughter through final packaging—complies with Islamic dietary laws.

Public Response and Support

– Expert Endorsement

The announcement has received positive feedback from citizens on social media platforms. Dr Ahmed al Mahrouqi praised the initiative as a vital step towards ensuring Omani consumers have complete confidence in the religious and hygienic integrity of what they eat. He noted that harmonizing certification processes with global practices would enhance Oman’s standing in international food commerce.

– Consumer Confidence Benefits

Citizen Khalid al Hinai expressed support for the decision, describing it as evidence of a strong commitment to Sharia-compliant food standards. He emphasized that the initiative would ensure both imported and domestically produced meat products meet the highest religious standards while boosting consumer confidence and positioning Oman as a leader in the halal food sector.

Al Hinai also highlighted the health benefits of halal food standards, noting that hygiene requirements throughout the process—from animal slaughter to product packaging—significantly reduce contamination risks, resulting in safer food products for consume

Original Article:

Taha, M. (2025, August 18). New working group to oversee halal food compliance in Oman. Muscat Daily. https://www.muscatdaily.com/2025/08/16/new-working-group-to-oversee-halal-food-compliance-in-oman/