UP Implements Ban on 'Halal-Certified' Food Products

The Uttar Pradesh government has banned the production, storage, distribution, and sale of "halal-certified" food products within the state, except for cases where certification is required for export. The ban was implemented due to concerns about the misuse of halal certification, following the filing of an FIR against eight agencies for issuing "forged" and "illegal" halal certificates. This is the first legal action of its kind in the country. The ban is based on the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, aiming to regulate food product quality and standards.