Food Sampling & Analysis Policy
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Need more information about food sampling, laboratory testing, or product verification? Our certification specialists are available to explain how our sampling and analysis programme helps maintain halal integrity, product authenticity, and consumer confidence.
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At Halal Mark, product sampling and laboratory analysis can provide additional technical evidence within an appropriate halal certification and monitoring programme. Sampling may be used where the certification scope, product characteristics, identified risks, previous findings, or other assessment considerations indicate that analytical verification would provide useful evidence.
Sampling is not a substitute for a complete halal assessment. Halal certification may require evaluation of ingredients, suppliers, manufacturing processes, production controls, storage, traceability, documentation, labelling, and other relevant aspects of an organisation’s operations. Where laboratory testing is appropriate, analytical results can complement these wider certification activities.
Our approach is designed to ensure that sampling is relevant to the certification objective and proportionate to the circumstances. The type of product, potential halal risk, purpose of the test, sampling location, available evidence, and applicable certification requirements may all be considered when determining whether sampling or laboratory analysis is required.
Where testing is undertaken, samples should be properly identified, collected, handled, transported, and submitted for the relevant analytical examination. The reliability of laboratory results depends not only on the analytical method but also on appropriate sampling and sample handling. UKAS identifies sampling, handling and transportation of test items, test methods, equipment, staff competence and quality assurance as relevant factors in laboratory competence under ISO/IEC 17025.
Our Food Sampling & Analysis Policy
Halal Mark maintains a structured approach to food sampling and analysis to support evidence-based certification and monitoring decisions. The policy applies where product sampling or laboratory testing forms part of an agreed certification assessment, investigation, surveillance activity, or other authorised verification process.
Sampling requirements are determined according to the circumstances of the certification activity rather than applying the same testing programme to every organisation. Considerations may include product composition, ingredients, processing methods, supply-chain information, previous findings, changes to products or suppliers, complaints, suspected non-conformity, and other relevant certification risks.
Samples may be obtained during an audit, inspection, investigation, surveillance activity, or another authorised certification exercise. Where appropriate, samples may also be obtained from products available through the market or supply chain. The method of sampling should be suitable for the purpose of the analysis and sufficiently documented to maintain traceability.
Laboratory testing is selected according to the question that needs to be answered. Depending on the certification requirement, analytical examination may be used to investigate product composition, species identification, the presence or absence of specified substances, authenticity, or another relevant characteristic. The particular test method and laboratory are selected according to the required analysis and applicable competence requirements.
Where laboratory testing is used, Halal Mark may use an appropriately competent laboratory and, where relevant to the required test, a laboratory accredited to ISO/IEC 17025. Accreditation is relevant because UKAS assesses laboratory competence in areas including personnel, equipment, test methods, sampling, handling of test items, measurement traceability, quality assurance and reporting.
Laboratory results are considered alongside other certification evidence rather than in isolation. A satisfactory analytical result does not by itself establish that an entire production operation is halal compliant, just as a laboratory result requiring investigation does not necessarily establish deliberate non-compliance without appropriate assessment of the circumstances.
If analytical findings indicate a potential non-conformity or raise questions about a product’s halal status, Halal Mark will review the available evidence and determine the appropriate next steps. Depending on the circumstances, this may include requesting additional information, reviewing production or supplier records, carrying out further assessment, obtaining another sample, conducting additional testing, or requiring appropriate corrective action.
Sampling and laboratory information is handled in accordance with Halal Mark’s applicable confidentiality, data protection, quality assurance, and certification procedures. Records relating to samples, test requests, laboratory reports, findings, and resulting certification decisions are maintained where required to support traceability and demonstrate how the certification decision was reached.
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Risk-Based Product Sampling
Our sampling approach considers the specific certification circumstances rather than requiring identical testing for every product or business. Sampling may be considered where product characteristics, ingredients, processing methods, certification history, complaints, changes, or other identified risks indicate that additional analytical evidence would be valuable.
Laboratory Analysis & Technical Verification
Where laboratory analysis is appropriate, testing can provide objective scientific evidence relating to a defined analytical question. Results are reviewed alongside certification documentation, audit evidence, product information, and other relevant findings to support an informed certification or monitoring decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sampling may be used when laboratory evidence could help verify a specific aspect of a product or investigate a potential certification risk. It may form part of an audit, surveillance activity, investigation, product assessment, or other authorised certification process.
No. Laboratory testing is not automatically required for every halal-certified product. The need for sampling and analysis depends on the certification scope, product and process characteristics, identified risks, available evidence, and applicable certification requirements.
Where laboratory analysis is required, the sample should be submitted to a laboratory with appropriate technical competence for the required test. Where applicable, an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory may be used for the relevant testing activity. UKAS maintains information on accredited laboratories and their specific accreditation scopes.
The result is reviewed together with the relevant certification evidence. Halal Mark may request further information, conduct additional assessment, obtain further samples or testing, and require corrective action where appropriate before reaching or maintaining a certification decision.
Recognised key halal industry membership
We are certified from Muslim Council of Britain and WHFC Supporting businesses across food manufacturing, catering, restaurants, halal meat production, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, logistics, and related industries across the United Kingdom.
