Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the extent to which halal products are sold without being labelled as such in (a) supermarkets and (b) restaurants and cafes.

There is no obligation to label products as being halal. However, when foods are labelled or presented as such, the labelling must not mislead the consumer. It is the responsibility of food businesses, including retailers and caterers, to ensure that the food they sell is what they say it is.

The definition of halal and certification as halal is a matter for the Muslim community and private business.

Accreditation bodies can assist retailers by setting standards and ensuring that these standards are met. These bodies are private organisations.