UK Enterprise 2017

74 WORLDWIDE BUSINESS REVIEW / UK Enterprise Awards 2017 , Best Halal Certifier 2017 & Excellence Award for Halal Export Facilitation Halal FoodAuthority (HFA) isanindependent, voluntarynon-profit organization, part of a registeredcharity involved inthe supervision, inspection, audit, certification, andcomplianceof halal principles andpractices intheUKfoodandbeverages industry.WecaughtupwithSaqib Mohammed tofindoutmoreabout thefirmand therangeof services it offers. Since inception, HFA has established the most practicable and robust halal assurance system facilitating a comprehensive traceability of halal food serving the Muslim community and halal industry. Saqib outlines how the firm works to ensure excellence at all times and support its clients. “At HFA, our aim is to become recognised as the most competent and compatible Halal Certifier in Europe possessing realistic service benchmarks with a systematic approach together with diligently implemented Islamic Jurisprudence and to provide a high level of professional advice and service to consumers and manufacturers through education and awareness in the halal industry on halal related matters, as a first point of contact. In addition, we work to become part of scientific research and innovation schemes and projects, and to seek and utilize all available resources for further development of the global halal industry. “To achieve these aims, HFA always endorse the policies WUK17068 reflecting honesty, transparency, due diligence and adherence to Islamic Jurisprudence. In addition to this HFA believes in collective efforts and encourages diversity to be able to utilize the best available expertise in society. We endeavour to engage with the community and integrate with all its stakeholders in all halal and food related issues. “Furthermore, HFA offers flexible and friendly working environment to its staff and supports on-the- job training and development programmes and stresses good collaboration between colleagues. We believe that the real work begins now; which is to ensure that we can not only maintain our success which we have achieved by following the above, but to further improve and strengthen our position and demonstrate our capabilities as leaders in the Halal industry.” Halal has become more recognised globally over the last ten years or so. This is particularly due to increasing demands for these foods from both the UK and abroad. In the UK, there has been more information readily available through events and seminars for the consumers and businesses to gain a better insight and understanding about halal foods. HFA is officially approved and recognised by both the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and The Emirates Authority for Standardization & Metrology (ESMA) to supervise, authenticate and certify all consignments to be exported to the UAE from all over the world under specified scope of accreditation. HFA halal export certificates are exclusively issued for this purpose and are a mandatory requirement for custom clearance at UAE ports of entry. The HFA is a registered stakeholder with the Food Standards Agency (FSA), Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Agricultural & Horticultural Development Board (AHDB)-Beef & Lamb and Farm Animal Welfare Council. The HFA work closely with all mentioned organisations on halal related matters. Alongside this, the HFA are also a member of the acclaimed and prestigious World Halal Food Council (WHFC). Membership to the WHFC is achieved after gaining international and global acceptance of certification and accreditation processes. Despite working with global governing bodies, there are several benefits of trading in the UK for HFA. One is being in the European Union which reduces business costs and trade barriers, and has the same legislative technical and safety standards. The other is having plentiful resources to hand that are necessary for the company to function. These resources include staff, who are of vital importance to the firm, as Saqib highlights. “Our in-house team of Food Technologists, Auditors and Inspectors are highly qualified in their respective fields and work tirelessly to utilise their skill base (including 10-15 fluent languages) to serve both the Muslim community and wider halal industry on an international level. “To ensure that they work to the highest possible standards, our Food Technologists, Auditors and Inspectors have relevant degrees and postgraduate degrees from reputable universities from across