| By Hyphen Online

Rising Complaints Signal Growing Concerns

Reports of suspected halal food fraud submitted to the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) reached a five-year peak in 2024, according to data obtained by Hyphen through a freedom of information request. However, halal certification experts caution that the reported cases likely represent only a fraction of the actual problem.

The FSA’s National Food Crime Unit recorded 16 allegations of halal food misrepresentation in 2024, an increase from 12 cases in 2023. This compares with eight reports in both 2021 and 2022, and none in 2020.

Nature of Alleged Misrepresentation

Between 2021 and 2024, the FSA received a total of 44 reports related to suspected halal fraud. Half of these involved claims that non-halal meat was being sold as halal, including 10 such cases reported in 2024 alone.

Additional complaints included nine cases of meat being incorrectly labelled as halal and seven reports concerning allegedly unlawful processing practices. Since 2021, the agency has also logged three reports involving businesses that had no halal certification.

While halal certification is not legally required in the UK, food law mandates that products must not be labelled, marketed, or presented in a misleading manner.

Political Response and Consumer Trust

Naz Shah, Labour MP for Bradford West, described the allegations as “deeply disturbing,” emphasizing that any confirmed misconduct should result in meaningful penalties. She warned that a small number of unethical operators could damage the reputation of a rapidly growing industry that relies heavily on consumer trust and transparency.

Members of the public and industry insiders, including whistleblowers, are able to report suspected food crimes to the FSA confidentially.

Additional Fraud Allegations

The data also revealed two reports related to document fraud and one case involving alleged misrepresentation of qurbani, the ritual animal slaughter performed during Eid al-Adha.

Among all reported cases, food premises—such as takeaways and outlets serving hot or cold food—accounted for the highest number of allegations, with 14 reports between 2021 and 2024, including eight in 2024 alone.

Businesses Most Frequently Implicated

Wholesalers were linked to 11 complaints during the same period, followed by food retailers with seven cases. Meat cutting plants were implicated five times, while caterers accounted for four reports.

In 22 cases, the specific type of meat was not identified. Of the remaining cases, poultry featured most frequently, followed by sheep, while several reports involved mixed meat products.

Halal Requirements and Regulatory Oversight

Under Islamic law, halal meat must come from a healthy animal slaughtered by a practising Muslim using a sharp blade, with a prayer recited at the time of slaughter. Strict measures must also be taken to prevent cross-contamination with non-halal substances, such as pork.

The FSA oversees compliance with food safety and animal welfare standards in slaughterhouses and food businesses, including those handling halal meat. However, representatives from several halal certification bodies argue that the halal meat sector requires stronger regulation to prevent consumer deception.

Industry Warnings: “Only the Tip of the Iceberg”

Nadeem Adam, operations director at the Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC), one of the UK’s largest halal certification bodies, stated that the reported figures likely underestimate the true scale of the issue. He noted that some businesses have been found using HMC certification marks without authorization.

HMC reported monitoring halal compliance at more than 750 businesses and 75 schools in the past year.

Enforcement Actions and Official Response

Of the reported cases, the FSA referred 34 to local authorities for investigation, conducted six inquiries internally, and passed one case to the police. Two cases resulted in no further action. The agency declined to disclose investigation outcomes, citing potential risks to ongoing enforcement efforts.

Neil Castle, deputy head of the FSA’s food crime unit, emphasized that food fraud levels in the UK remain low overall. He added that the recent rise in reports may reflect improved detection and reporting systems rather than an actual increase in fraudulent activity.

Original Article:

Hyphen. (2025). Halal food fraud: FSA reports meat. https://hyphenonline.com/2025/12/16/halal-food-fraud-fsa-reports-meat/