LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government imposed Saturday a ban on the production, storage, distribution, and sale of “halal-certified” food products within the state, with exceptions only for cases where such certification is required for export purposes.The ban was implemented following concerns raised by CM Yogi Adityanath about the misuse of halalcertification.A government spokesperson said: “Halal certification is not mentioned in the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and therefore is illegal.”This decision comes in the wake of an FIR filed on Friday against eight agencies for allegedly issuing “forged” and “illegal” halal certificates, contributing to social animosity and violating public trust.

The FIR, filed by businessman Shailendra Kumar Sharma, marks the first legal action against such certificates in the country, according to a UP police officer.The accused agencies, including Halal India Private Limited and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust, face charges related to criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity between different groups, and forgery.Anita Singh, commissioner of food safety and drug administration, issued the ban order, citing the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 as the authority to regulate food product quality and standards.

The order prohibits the production, storage, distribution, and sale of “halal-certified” food products within UP, emphasising public health considerations.