HMC vs HFA: what is the difference?

What does HMC certify?

HMC certifies meat from animals that are slaughtered by hand, by a Muslim, with the tasmiyah recited over each animal, and without stunning. HMC inspectors are present at slaughter, and certified shops are monitored so that only HMC meat is sold on the premises.

What does HFA certify?

HFA certifies meat where the animal may be stunned before slaughter, provided the stun is recoverable, meaning the animal would regain consciousness if not slaughtered. HFA also permits mechanical slaughter of poultry under its conditions, with the tasmiyah recited by a Muslim operator. HFA-certified meat is widely used by large processors and food chains.

Which one is more strict?

HMC is the stricter standard on slaughter method: no stunning of any kind, no mechanical slaughter, hand slaughter only. Scholars differ on whether a recoverable stun makes meat impermissible; HMC's position is that it should not be used at all, and many customers choose HMC for that reason.

Which certification does Ikhlas use?

Ikhlas Halal Butcher in Bradford is HMC certified. All our chicken, lamb, mutton, beef, goat and turkey is hand slaughtered without stunning and monitored by the Halal Monitoring Committee. We do not stock HFA or uncertified meat.

How can I tell which certifier a shop uses?

Look for the certificate, not the logo on the window. An HMC certificate names the shop and has an expiry date, and the shop appears on the register at halalhmc.org. HFA lists its certified businesses on its own site. If a shop cannot show you either, the word halal on its sign is unverified.

More on halal and HMC

• What is HMC?
• Is stunned meat halal?
• What does the HMC stamp on meat mean?
• Is machine-slaughtered chicken halal?
• Does a halal sign mean the meat is halal?
• What is the tasmiyah and why does it matter?
• Where can I buy HMC halal meat in Bradford?
• Our HMC approval
• Halal meat, explained: farm to counter