What Is HMC Halal?

HMC is the Halal Monitoring Committee, an independent, not for profit UK registered charity that monitors, inspects and certifies halal products. HMC halal meat comes from animals that were not stunned and were slaughtered by hand by a Muslim who recites the Tasmiyah on each animal, with HMC checks at each point of the supply chain from the abattoir to the shop.

What does HMC stand for?

HMC stands for Halal Monitoring Committee. HMC says it was set up so that Muslims can be confident the meat and products they eat are genuinely halal, and that it works for the benefit of the Muslim community with no personal gain to any individual or group. It certifies abattoirs, meat and poultry suppliers, non-meat products and the outlets that sell them, such as butchers, takeaways and schools.

What are HMC's rules for halal meat?

HMC publishes its criteria for halal. The core of them is:

  • No stunning. HMC has kept a complete non-stun policy across all halal species since it began.
  • No mechanical slaughter. HMC does not accept machine slaughter or the gassing of animals.
  • A live, healthy animal. The animal must be alive and healthy before slaughter, and of a permitted species.
  • The Tasmiyah on each animal. A Muslim slaughterman must recite the Tasmiyah on each animal. HMC also checks that slaughtermen are observant Muslims with valid licences.
  • Hand slaughter. A swift, humane incision by hand.
  • The vessels checked. A compliance check that three of the four main vessels are cut.
  • Licensed, vet-supervised abattoirs. HMC only operates in approved, licensed abattoirs supervised by a qualified vet, and adds its own supervision of halal compliance on top.

How does HMC monitor meat?

Monitoring is what the M in HMC stands for, and it is the heart of how HMC works. HMC employs field inspectors who work at abattoirs, processing plants and manufacturing plants, and it supervises all halal production to its criteria. Meat is labelled and sealed where suitable, and HMC checks for cross-contamination with meat that is not certified.

HMC uses a unique, serialised labelling system from the point of slaughter onwards, so meat can be traced back from the outlet that sells it. Separate monitors audit outlets such as butchers, restaurants, takeaways and schools, which HMC describes as active monitoring on an almost daily basis. An outlet only counts as HMC certified if it buys vetted HMC products and accepts that monitoring.

Is HMC stricter than other halal certifiers?

On stunning, yes. Both HMC and the Halal Food Authority (HFA) require hand slaughter by a Muslim, the name of Allah recited on each animal and no mechanical slaughter. The main practical difference is that HMC accepts no stunning at all, while HFA permits a controlled electric stun that must not kill the animal before slaughter. Our guide to HMC vs HFA sets the two side by side, and what HFA approved means covers HFA's rules in full.

Which body you prefer depends on your own view of stunning. Both are independent certifiers, which is the most important thing: someone other than the seller has checked the halal claim.

How can you tell if meat is HMC?

Look for the certifying body named on the product or its listing. Certification belongs to a product and its supply chain, so a general halal sign is not the same as HMC certification. HMC also publishes a directory of the butchers, caterers, takeaways and suppliers it certifies on the HMC website, so you can check an outlet before you buy. If a seller says meat is HMC but cannot show where that comes from, ask.

HMC at Jeff's

Certification is shown per product. Products marked HMC on their product page carry a certification badge naming the Halal Monitoring Committee, and the certification belongs to that product and its supply chain, not to our shop.

You will find products marked HMC across our fresh meats, steaks, ready to cook and deli ranges. Check the badge on each product page before you add it to your basket.

Frequently asked questions

Is HMC meat stunned?
No. HMC has kept a complete non-stun policy across all halal species since it began, so meat and poultry certified by HMC come from animals that were not stunned before slaughter.

Does HMC allow machine slaughtered chicken?
No. HMC does not accept mechanical slaughter or gassing. Each bird is slaughtered by hand by a Muslim slaughterman who recites the Tasmiyah on it.

Is HMC better than HFA?
We do not rank them. Both are independent UK certifiers with the same core rules on hand slaughter and reciting the name of Allah. They differ mainly on stunning: HMC accepts none, HFA permits a controlled stun that must not kill the animal. Choose the body whose position matches your own.

Is Jeff's HMC certified?
Certification is shown per product: products marked HMC on their product page carry HMC certification, shown by the badge on that page.