Kolhapur: The Kolhapur Zilla Sahakari Dudh Utpadak Sangh, popularly known as Gokul Dairy, has issued an appeal to consumers in Mumbai and Pune, urging them not to be misled by a social media campaign that calls for a boycott of its products over Halal certification. The campaign was sparked by an activist who alleged on social media that the certification was linked to religious promotion, specifically targeting former dairy chairman Navid Mushrif and minister Hasan Mushrif.
Background of the Controversy
Gokul Dairy, which supplies approximately 15 lakh litres of milk daily to Mumbai and Pune, has been receiving calls from long-time distributors seeking clarification amid fears that the boycott calls could impact sales. The dairy management has moved swiftly to address these concerns and reassure its customer base.
Official Clarification on Halal Certification
Anil Chaudhari, the general manager of Gokul Dairy, clarified that the Halal certification is not associated with any religious promotion, compulsion, or ideology. Instead, it is a necessary commercial and quality-related requirement in international trade. He explained that the term 'Halal' means 'permissible' or 'lawful,' and the certification ensures that no prohibited or adulterated substances are used in the production process of food products.
Chaudhari further elaborated that certification processes in the dairy sector involve strict quality checks. 'The ingredients used in these products are verified to comply with Halal standards. Therefore, this certification is considered a benchmark for quality and safety, similar to standards like FSSAI, ISO 22000, and HACCP,' he said. He also noted that Gokul Dairy has held Halal certification since 2018, valid until March 2028.
Importance of Halal Certification for Exports
The dairy highlighted that in many Islamic countries, especially in the Gulf region, Halal certification is legally mandatory for food imports. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait do not grant customs clearance without Halal certification. This makes the certification essential for Gokul Dairy's export operations.
Gokul Dairy has a history of exports, having shipped around 850 tonnes of milk powder to countries including Turkey, Georgia, Syria, Bangladesh, and the UAE in 2018. More recently, in 2024, it exported 462 tonnes of butter to Azerbaijan. The official added, 'Currently, there is strong demand for Indian dairy products such as butter and ghee in Middle Eastern countries, and the dairy continues to receive export queries.'
Industry-Wide Adoption
In its statement, Gokul Dairy noted that several dairy cooperatives across India have adopted Halal certification to facilitate exports to Gulf markets. This practice is widespread and not unique to Gokul, underscoring the commercial necessity of the certification.
