Recently, a video showing a heated exchange between a passenger and Indian railways officials over being served halal-certified tea went viral on social media raising questions about the need for such certification.
The video shows the passenger questioning the railway staff about the nature of halal-certified tea and its relevance during the auspicious month of Sawan. The staff calmly explained that the tea was, in any case, vegetarian. The passenger, not fully understanding the concept of halal certification, sought an explanation and requested swastik certification instead.
In the video, the passenger can be seen questioning the railway staff's nature of halal-certified tea and its relevance during the auspicious month of Sawan. The staff calmly explained that the tea was, in any case, vegetarian. The passenger, not fully understanding the concept of halal certification, sought an explanation and requested swastik certification instead.
After the video went viral on the internet, people raised questions about why a tea premix needs halal certification. Some users praised the patience of the railways official who did not lose his calm and explained to the passenger that tea is by default vegetarian.
Later, the Indian Railways issued a clarification, stating that products used in tea being served on trains are purely vegetarian.
“Ministry of Railways reassures passengers over the products used in tea being served in trains are purely vegetarian and of international standards. Some sections in the media have reported that some export-quality tea is being served by IRCTC which has many certificates like FSSAI, ISO, GMP, FDA, Hallal etc. But it is being highlighted by some media sections as it is only Halal certified," the railway's statement said.
"The mentioned brand premix tea has the mandatory FSSAI Certification. The product is 100% vegetarian with a mandatory "Green Dot" indication. All products have lab reports, indicating 100% vegetarian composition. All ingredients are natural and milk powder and 100% plant-based ingredients are used to make tea and coffee premixes. Further, as per the manufacturer, the product is also exported to other Countries which mandate such certification," it added.
Later, the tea premix company, Chaizup, also addressed the issue, emphasizing that their products were 100% vegetarian and made from natural, plant-based ingredients. The halal certification was primarily for international export compliance.
For those unfamiliar with the term, Halal certification was first introduced in 1974 for slaughtered meat and till 1993 it was applied only to meat products. Then it was extended to other food items and also cosmetics, medicines etc.
In Arabic, halal means permissible and halal-certified refers to food prepared adhering to Islamic law. Halal meat refers to the meat of an animal which has been slaughtered through the throat, oesophagus, and jugular veins but not the spinal cord.