LUCKNOW: As part of its crackdown on ‘halal-certified’ foods, except meat and items meant for export, the Uttar Pradesh government has allowed retailers and superstore chains 15 days to withdraw any such food items from their shelves.

In addition to this, it has also asked 92 UP-based manufacturers which had been getting halal certification from non-certified organisations for their goods, to recall their products within UP and rebrand or repackage them as necessary.Commissioner, food safety and drug administration, Anita Singh told TOIthat since November 18, when the ban on halal-certified products was implemented in UP, 92 raids and about 500 inspections have been conducted across the state, in which around 3,000kg of halal-certified products worth Rs 7-8 lakh have been seized.Another 81 food samples have been taken for testing.Since the ban was imposed on Nov 18, around 3,000kg of halal-certified items worth Rs 7-8 lakh have been seized in raids, said the food safety commissioner..“As of now, there are only three organisations in India, including one in Lucknow, which are registered with the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) under I-CAS, which are authorised to give halal certification to meat and meat products for export.

In addition to this, there are 700-800 organisations across India that have been issuing halal certification.

We have banned all such products, till these companies register with NABCB,” Singh said.She said the Retailers Association of India and chains like Spencer sought a month’s time to remove halal-certified products from their shelves but have been given 15 days.The department of food safety has so far seized several halal-certified food items, which include products like sugar, oil, bakery items, sauces, rice, etc.

Many of these products have been produced in states like Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, and in Gurgaon.

For the next two weeks or so, till retailers and other sellers recall halal-certified products, the department will continue to carry out inspections to ensure the new order is followed but will not take any penal action, Singh said.Although there is lack of clarity on the imported halal-certified goods, according to officials, these are unlikely to come under the purview of the current ban.