Built on Faith,
Driven by Integrity
Halal Watch was founded in 1985 by Imam W.D. Umar as a grassroots initiative to bring rigorous Islamic compliance standards to the American food industry. What started as a newsletter called "Halal Watch" grew into a nationally recognized halal certification body.
Today, under the leadership of Imam Mansoor Rafiq Umar, we certify everything from meat and dairy to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics — serving companies across the United States and beyond.
EXPLORE OUR TIMELINE →
On the Ground, Every Day
Protecting Halal Integrity
To provide transparent, efficient halal certification services that protect consumers and help businesses prepare for domestic and market-specific export requirements with confidence.
Setting the Standard
To be the gold standard in halal certification — setting the benchmark for quality, trust, and compliance that every halal-conscious consumer and business can rely on.
Officially Recognized
Meet Our President
Imam Mansoor Rafiq Umar
CEO & President
Gubernatorial Appointee, Executive Committee Member of the NYS Office of Faith. Imam at MCBNY. Chaplain Imam at UAlbany.
VIEW FULL BIO →Key Contributions
Pioneering Halal Legislation
We helped develop and implement the first halal law in the United States (2000, Paterson, NJ), setting the foundation for national halal compliance and enforcement.
NYC Halal School Food Program
Since 2018, we've certified halal food for over 43 NYC public schools — providing students with culturally and religiously compliant meals. The program is now a national model.
Correctional Facilities
Since 1985, we've managed halal food procurement for New York State correctional facilities, in collaboration with DOCCS — ensuring compliance with both religious and regulatory frameworks.
Halal Integrity Training
Through our proprietary HIPS-based training modules, we ensure that staff involved in halal food production and certification meet the highest standards in the field.
Federal Collaboration
We actively engage with the USDA, USDHS, and the U.S. Department of Commerce, and contributed to the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report 2023/24.
New York Presence
Halal Watch is headquartered in Upstate New York and appears in the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets halal-certifier registration record.
Why Choose Halal Watch?
How to Choose a Halal Certifier
Ask these questions before committing to any halal certification body.
Which current public credentials can I verify?
Halal Watch has linked public records for GAC accreditation, CICOT status and New York State registration. Each record has a distinct role and does not guarantee universal destination acceptance. Learn more →
Will this certificate be accepted in the countries I export to?
Acceptance depends on the destination, product, facility, importer, certificate scope, and current authority or buyer requirements. See our export guide for the verification process. Learn more →
Who reviews the rulings behind your certification decisions?
Certification decisions receive qualified Islamic scholarly oversight. HIPS standards publication and controlled materials are governed separately through halalstandards.org. Learn more →
How long does certification take?
Timing depends on the products, facilities, document readiness, audit scheduling, findings, corrective evidence and independent review. Learn more →
Will you give me a clear quote before I commit?
Halal Watch prepares an individual written proposal after reviewing the products, facilities, activities and intended markets in the proposed scope. Learn more →
How should a buyer evaluate Halal Watch credentials?
Review the linked public records and verify the credential, product, facility, importer and destination conditions relevant to the proposed scope. Learn more →
Ready to Get Certified?
Complete your needs assessment so Halal Watch can review the proposed scope and prepare the applicable next steps.