ABOUT
HIC CANADA
HALAL INSPECTION & CERTIFICATION (HIC- CANADA ) BY THE B.C. MUSLIM ASSOCIATION.
HIC CANADA was established by The BCMA to help ensure that all Muslims could be confident that the meat and products they consume are ‘genuinely Halal’. The HIC CANADA organization is an independent, not for profit, registered charity which monitors, inspects and certifies Halal products for the benefit of the Muslim community.
MISSION
HIC CANADA wishes for all consumers to be confident and assured that the Halal meat and products they purchase are genuinely Halal. Consuming Halal foods is one of the most important tenets of ones faith without which our actions and our prayers are at risk and said to remain unanswered
VISION
Halal Inspection and Certification (HIC- Canada) was established by The BC Muslim Association to help ensure that all Muslims could be confident that the meat and products they consume are ‘genuinely Halal’. The HIC CANADA monitors, inspects and certifies Halal products for the benefit of the Muslim community
BACKGROUND
HIC Canada (Halal Inspection & Certification Canada) is the new Halal compliance, verification, and certification program officially launched on the 13th of April, 2019. This new and improved program has been induced by the Imams in collaboration with the executives of the BCMA . HIC Canada is run, administered, managed, and operated by the Imams of the BCMA in conjunction with the Imams of other local Islamic organizations. There is also large religious advisory council with the oversight of over 20 scholars with various academic and operational experience. The scholars and Imams on this consultation body come from various backgrounds making it a universal community effort for the Muslim community at regardless of ethnicity. HIC Canada is the official authority of authentic Halal certification in Western Canada.
STANDARD
In defining an approach and standard for Halal, HIC CANADA has adopted a universal set of criteria that is accepted by all. HIC CANADA will only operate in Canadian Food Inspection (CFI) Agency approved Abattoirs when supervised by Meat Hygiene Services (MHS). Under Canadian Law the MHS has legal responsibility for animal welfare, health and hygiene issues. Their stamp is legal requirement required to declare meat “fit for human” consumption. HIC CANADA will not work with any plants that are not approved by Canadian Food Inspection Agency. In addition, HIC CANADA will supervise compliance with Halal Standards – something that the CFI does not undertake. HIC CANADA supervises all Halal production to ensure compliance with HIC CANADA’s Halal criteria and including checking that all slaughter men are practising Muslims holding a valid slaughter license. HIC CANADA have a unique labelling system in place which is implemented from the point of slaughter onwards to ensure maximum transparency, allowing HIC CANADA products to be accepted globally without contention.
CRITERIA
The following describes some of the key criteria for Halal adopted by HIC CANADA:
• Animal is alive and healthy prior to slaughter (also correct species of animal)
• Mandatory recitation of Tasmiyah by a Muslim slaughter man (blessing) on each animal
• Swift and humane incision rendering the animal insensible to pain (hand slaughter)
• Compliance check ensuring 3 of the 4 main vessels are cut
In addition, all meat is labeled and sealed (where appropriate) and checks for cross contamination are made. HIC CANADA will not operate at plants where pork is handled.
SYSTEM
The HIC CANADA system is based on very clear and defined procedures to ensure all products are genuinely Halal. It is more than just checks at the slaughterhouse. HIC CANADA also monitors restaurants and butchers to validate that they only sell HIC CANADA meat that can be traced back using its unique serialised labels. This is supported by active monitoring of outlets by trained monitors on an almost daily basis.
An outlet is only considered to be “Certified” when they agree to purchase and supply products which have been vetted by HIC CANADA’s robust system and allow for active monitoring of their premises
REQUIREMENTS FOR SLAUGHTER
1. Only animals permitted for consumption in Islamic Law.
2. The slaughterman must be a practicing Muslim.
3. The slaughterman will slaughter by hand, and not by machine/mechanical means.
4. The slaughterman will recite the name of God on every individual animal, accompanied with proper intention.
5. The slaughterman will use a sharp knife to administer a horizontal incision to the throat of the animal severing the trachea, esophagus, and the carotid arteries.
REQUIREMENTS FOR RESTAURANTS
• All meats, raw ingredients, flavors, breads, desserts and other food products used and sold in the establishment must be in accordance with the full set of HIC Canada standards.
• Non-Halal products, including ritually impure foods such as pork and alcohol, are not allowed on the premises
REQUIREMENTS FOR MEAT MARKETS
The Fresh Meat sold in the establishment must be in accordance with the full set of HIC Canada standards.
INSPECTIONS PROTOCOL FOR RESTAURANTS & MEAT STORES
1. Frequent inspections are conducted at random.
2. Inspector will thoroughly inspect entire premise including kitchen, freezers, and coolers for all meat products & condiments.
3. All audits are documented and reviewed by the HIC Canada Admins.
Our Contact
604.256.3032