The Controversy Surrounding Halal Beef Liver Certification in Egypt

An Introduction to Halal Certification

For over 20 years, Habib Ghanim certified halal beef liver for Egypt without any issues. Egypt is the world’s largest importer of beef liver, one of the country’s most popular dishes. The majority of the delicacy comes from the U.S., and Ghanim’s company, USA Halal Chamber of Commerce, was at the forefront of certifying American beef liver as halal before it was shipped off.

Understanding Halal Certification

“Halal” is an Arabic word that translates to “lawful” or “permitted.” In the case of food, it refers to the process of how meat is prepared, processed, and stored in accordance with the Islamic faith. While there is no one globally accepted definition for halal among certification bodies, halal food is predominantly certified by a Muslim or, more commonly, a Muslim religious figure, similar to the process for kosher food.

Halal certifiers vary from one company to another, and each may focus on a particular industry or a handful, like meat, cosmetics, restaurants, or pharmaceuticals. The certifiers collect documentation from their clients, review ingredients, inspect facility sanitation for cross-contamination, and check that everything from the registration to the creation of a product complies with Islamic law.

For meat, this means making sure that animals are treated, slaughtered, and processed according to the Islamic faith, which includes invoking the name of God and not killing an animal in the presence of others, before clients are able to gain a halal certification for their products.

The Suspension of Ghanim’s Certification Work

Ghanim’s booming business came to a halt in 2019 when he received a letter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture stating that the Egyptian government had suspended his certifying work. The letter said that only one company in the country, IS EG Halal, was now allowed to certify halal meat for Cairo.

Overnight, an organization with no prior halal experience had become the sole entity authorized by the government of Egypt to certify halal exports worldwide. Several American Muslims who ran halal certification companies lost clients, and Ghanim lost thousands of dollars.

The Allegations of Bribery and Corruption

Efforts to have the decision reversed or explained were unsuccessful. Behind the scenes, prosecutors allege that the head of IS EG Halal, a Christian man, and a powerful U.S. senator were working together to ensure that IS EG Halal maintained its lucrative contract.

In a 39-page indictment filed in federal court, Wael Hana, the owner of IS EG Halal, and Sen. Bob Menendez, along with Menendez’s wife and two other businessmen, were charged with bribery. The indictment alleges that the Menendezes accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes from Hana in exchange for official favors.

Concerns Raised by Halal Certifiers

Muslim American halal certifiers have been raising the alarm on Hana since he got involved in the industry in 2019, questioning his rapid success, his friendship with Menendez, and his sudden monopoly with the Egyptian government.

Hana claims that the Egyptian government provided him with imams and veterinarians to train and teach him about halal certification and Islamic law. However, experienced certifiers like Ghanim and Mahmoud believe that their information was given to Hana and IS EG Halal, leading to their exclusion from the certification process.

The Impact on American Halal Certifiers

The exclusive rights granted to IS EG Halal resulted in increased prices for certification services. Certifiers who previously charged $10-$20 to ship a 2,000-pound container saw costs rise to $220 for the same weight. Egyptian consumers were left shortchanged, and American halal certifiers, many of whom are small businesses run by American Muslims, faced financial losses and a sense of helplessness.

The Ongoing Legal Proceedings

Menendez, his wife, and the other defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges. The case highlights the vulnerability of the halal certification process and the need for transparency and accountability in ensuring the integrity of halal products.