IFANCA

What IFANCA does

IFANCA (Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America) is a not-for-profit halal certification body headquartered in Des Plaines, Illinois, founded in 1982. The organization evaluates applicant companies through a five-step workflow (price quote, application, document review, onsite audit with both a halal technical auditor and an Islamic affairs expert, and committee decision) and issues a registered Crescent-M service mark for use on certified product packaging. The certificate grants access to consumer markets in more than 50 countries and is recognized by regulatory and religious authorities including BPJPH (Indonesia), JAKIM (Malaysia), MUIS (Singapore), SFDA and SASO (Saudi Arabia), EIAC and GAC (UAE/GCC), PNAC and PHA (Pakistan), CICOT (Thailand), IMANOR (Morocco), the Qatar Ministry of Public Health, and ANAB at the international level.

IFANCA's commercial activity operates on three revenue streams: per-application and renewal halal certification fees on a multi-year contract basis; conference and sponsorship revenue from the annual International Halal Food Conference (US$1,200 per attendee in its 22nd edition, April 2025); and subscriptions to the quarterly Halal Consumer Magazine in print and digital formats. Customer concentration spans large multinational food, beverage, nutritional supplement, and pharmaceutical manufacturers — including Abbott, Starbucks, Ben & Jerry's, Impossible Foods, General Mills, Walmart, Herbalife, Usana, Campbell Soup, Tootsie Roll, Baskin Robbins, and Oatly — alongside more than 600 directory-listed certified companies, with a particularly heavy share of China-based nutritional ingredient and botanical extract suppliers.

Beyond certification, IFANCA sustains a multi-stakeholder ecosystem including the Abrahamic Center for Cultural Education (ACCE) in downtown Chicago, the ZCELL permaculture and ethical-living partnership with Zaytuna College (since 2017), and a US$4 million pledge to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative made jointly with UNICEF USA at the Abu Dhabi pledging event in December 2025. The organization participates regularly in GHaS, MIHAS, Bangkok Halal Summit, the NUSACC Annual Iftar, and Singapore's MUIS FHCB framework, positioning IFANCA as both a certification provider and a convener across the global Islamic economy.

Name

IFANCA

Legal name

Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America

Website

https://ifanca.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IFANCA is a not-for-profit halal certification body founded in 1982 in Des Plaines, Illinois, that audits food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics manufacturers and issues the Crescent-M service mark recognized by regulators in over 50 countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Halal Certification Services

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYAFALAMAF

Halal Certification Services

Agriculture & Food Production/Food Safety, Testing & Certification/Certification Services (Organic, Non-GMO, etc.)

Keywords

• Halal certification
• Food certification services
• Product compliance auditing
• Halal assurance
• Religious dietary certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Des Plaines

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel

Revenue model

1. Halal Certification Fees: IFANCA charges companies for the halal certification process, which includes document review, technical review, onsite auditing, and issuance of the Crescent-M certificate. The process is described as simple, cost-effective, and efficient. Fees are quoted on a per-application basis after initial review of the applicant, company, product, and manufacturing facility. Revenue is recurring as certificates require renewal (e.g., Indonesian BPJPH registration must be renewed 3 months before certificate expiration).
2. Halal Consumer Magazine Subscriptions: IFANCA publishes a quarterly Halal Consumer Magazine available in print (US and Canada) and digital formats. Subscribers pay for the magazine, which features halal resources, recipes, articles, and a halal product locator. This publication serves both consumer education and client product promotion.
3. Conference and Sponsorship Revenue: IFANCA organizes the annual International Halal Food Conference (22nd edition in 2025) with a registration fee of USD 1,200 per person. Sponsorship opportunities (Diamond, Platinum tiers) are sold to industry participants. The conference covers halal certification, global standards, government agreements, and domestic halal market opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

IFANCA provides halal certification services to food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and nutritional supplement manufacturers through a five-step process (application review, technical review, onsite audit, Islamic affairs oversight, and certification decision). Certified products receive the registered Crescent-M halal service mark for use on packaging, enabling companies to access Muslim-majority markets worldwide. The organization also publishes the Halal Consumer Magazine and operates the Halal Certified Products Directory.

Product overview

IFANCA (Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America) is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1982 that provides halal certification services and promotes halal awareness. The core offering is the halal certification service, which includes a five-step certification process (agreement/price quote, application, document review, on-site audit, and certification decision) using the registered Crescent-M halal service mark. The product portfolio also includes the Halal Certified Products Directory for consumer product discovery, the Halal Consumer Magazine (quarterly print/digital publication), Indonesia-specific halal certification services for BPJPH registration, the ZCELL ethical living education program in partnership with Zaytuna College, and the ACCE cultural education initiative in Chicago. The company maintains a network of over 600 certified companies globally and provides resources including articles, recipes, and educational guides.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Crescent-M: IFANCA's registered halal service mark that assures consumers the product is halal. The Crescent-M logo on a product means 'This is halal.'

Products and services

• Halal Certification Services Core halal certification service for companies producing food, beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, and other consumer products intended for Muslim consumers. The certification process includes application review, document review, onsite audit by both a halal technical auditor and an Islamic affairs expert, and final committee decision, culminating in the right to display the Crescent-M halal service mark on certified products.
• Indonesia Halal Certification Specialized halal certification service for companies seeking to market products in Indonesia under mandatory halal certification requirements. Includes a dedicated 6-step process with BPJPH portal registration support. Targeted at companies exporting to or producing for the Indonesian market.
• Halal Consumer Magazine Quarterly subscription magazine published by IFANCA available in print (US and Canada) and digital formats. Features halal resources, recipes, articles, and a halal product locator. Serves both consumer education and promotion of IFANCA-certified products.
• Halal Certified Products Directory Searchable online directory of products certified by IFANCA, filterable by company, product category, marketplace type, and country. Includes products from beverages, cosmetics, food, nutritional supplements, and pharmaceuticals categories. Allows consumers to discover certified products and indirectly supports B2B brand visibility.
• International Halal Food Conference Annual flagship conference organized by IFANCA covering halal certification, global standards, government agreements, and domestic halal market opportunities. Registration fee is USD 1,200 per person, with Diamond and Platinum sponsorship tiers available. Features technical sessions and speakers from BPJPH Indonesia, JAKIM Malaysia, MUIS Singapore, SFDA Saudi Arabia, and SMIIC Türkiye.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1.8 billion Muslim consumers reached globally through IFANCA halal certification
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• NUSACC (National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 March 2026IFANCA was a proud sponsor of NUSACC's 2026 Annual Iftar at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington D.C., held in honor of the League of Arab States and the Arab diplomatic corps. This is IFANCA's 15th consecutive year participating in the event. The Iftar convenes senior U.S. government officials, Arab ambassadors, business executives, and faith community leaders, serving as a platform for strengthening U.S.-Arab commercial relations and halal industry growth.
• JAKIM (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025IFANCA participated in GHaS (Global Halal Summit) 2025 and MIHAS (Malaysia International Halal Showcase) 2025, both organized by JAKIM. The events in Kuala Lumpur (September 2025) included the Halal Certification Bodies Convention, International Halal Technical Capacity Development Program, Global Halal Talk, and B2B trade meetings. JAKIM is the primary halal regulatory body for Malaysia, which ranks top 3 globally in the Islamic economy.
• CICOT (Central Islamic Committee of Thailand)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025IFANCA participated in a landmark Bangkok summit organized by CICOT where Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) were formalized among global halal certifying bodies. Dr. Chaudry represented IFANCA at the summit aimed at harmonizing halal certification practices, reducing duplication, and fostering global collaboration. CICOT is preparing to host Bangkok Halal Expo 2026 as a major international halal trade platform.
• Zaytuna CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017IFANCA supports Zaytuna College's 17-acre ranch acquisition (adjacent to the Berkeley campus) for permaculture and livestock integration. Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, President of Zaytuna College, is a prominent Islamic scholar who emphasizes ethical food production as part of Islamic stewardship. The ranch also plans to house a sacred sports program.
• Abrahamic Center for Cultural Education (ACCE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015ACCE is an IFANCA-initiated Islamic art gallery and resource center in downtown Chicago. Founded around 2015 with its permanent exhibition completed in December 2018, ACCE offers educational presentations, creative events, and school programs (Islam for Educators, Muslims in the Workplace, Islamic Art and Tessellations, Muslim Women in STEAM). It serves as a core partner with Communities in Schools Chicago and holds a leadership role in the Chicago Cultural Alliance (40+ member cultural heritage organizations).
• Zaytuna College (ZCELL - Zaytuna College Center for Ethical Living and Learning)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFANCA co-founded ZCELL with Zaytuna College in 2017 to promote permaculture, ethical food production, and halal/tayyib practices. IFANCA has supported the permaculture garden development (in its 5th year with over 25 fruit trees and 20+ raised beds), the biannual Permaculture Design Certificate course (with almost 100 graduates), and the recent 17-acre ranch acquisition for livestock integration. This partnership reflects IFANCA's mission to promote halal and ethical living beyond certification.
• UNICEF (UNICEF USA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFANCA and UNICEF have a multi-year partnership focused on polio eradication and child health. IFANCA pledged US$4 million to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) at the Abu Dhabi pledging event in December 2025. The partnership addresses nutrition, immunization, health equity, and food security for children in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Gaza, and other vulnerable regions. IFANCA President Dr. Muhammad Munir Chaudry and UNICEF USA CEO Michael J. Nyenhuis have conducted joint interviews discussing the intersection of nutrition, cultural integrity, and immunization.
• MUIS (Islamic Religious Council of Singapore)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFANCA participated in the Singapore Halal International Seminar (SHIS) in September 2025 where MUIS launched its enhanced Foreign Halal Certification Bodies (FHCB) recognition framework and new digital system (effective October 2025). MUIS recognizes 101 foreign halal certification bodies including IFANCA. The new QR-enabled digital halal certificates and online FHCB portal streamline recognition for IFANCA-certified products entering Singapore.
• BPJPH (Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency, Indonesia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFANCA is accredited by BPJPH, Indonesia's halal product assurance body, enabling IFANCA-certified products to be marketed in Indonesia. Indonesia has enforced mandatory halal certification for products in its market. IFANCA offers a dedicated 6-step Indonesia certification process including BPJPH portal registration support. Indonesia ranks top 3 globally in the Islamic economy (State of Global Islamic Economy Report 2023/24).
• ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board)coreOthersIFANCA holds accreditation from ANAB under the ANSI National Accreditation Board for product certification, verifying IFANCA's technical competence to issue halal certifications meeting international standards.
• World Halal Food CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFANCA is a founding member of the World Halal Food Council, a global body working to harmonize halal certification standards, facilitate international trade in halal products, and unify halal certification practices across borders.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• JAKIM (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia): Malaysia's federal halal authority and IFANCA's most prominent counterpart in the global halal ecosystem. JAKIM operates its own certification scheme while recognizing IFANCA and 100+ foreign bodies; both compete and collaborate in setting standards across Southeast Asia.
• BPJPH (Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency, Indonesia): Indonesia's halal regulator enforcing mandatory certification under Law No. 33/2014. BPJPH directly accredits IFANCA through 2028 and operates the country's official halal framework, making it both a regulator and a competing certification pathway.
• CICOT (Central Islamic Council of Thailand): Thailand's halal authority and IFANCA's counterpart in the Bangkok MRA framework. CICOT both certifies directly and recognizes foreign bodies including IFANCA, making it a directly comparable regional certifier.
• GIMDES (Food and Health Sciences Research and Development Center): Turkish halal certification body operating internationally with accreditations across multiple jurisdictions. GIMDES is a direct peer in the private halal certification space and a fellow participant in global MRA forums.

Regional players

• Halal Food Council of Europe (HFCE): A European halal certification body affiliated with IFANCA's broader ecosystem. HFCE focuses on European market recognition via HAK and is structurally comparable as a regional halal certifier.
• Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of Canada (IFANCC): Canadian affiliate of IFANCA providing halal certification for the Canadian market. Directly comparable as a regional halal certifier operating under the same broader IFANCA umbrella.

Broad incumbents

• SGS: Global testing, inspection, and certification giant with a halal services line. SGS competes with IFANCA for enterprise halal certification mandates but bundles halal into a broader TIC portfolio serving multinational F&B and pharmaceutical clients.
• Bureau Veritas: French-headquartered TIC incumbent offering halal certification alongside food safety, sustainability, and supply-chain assurance services. Comparable to IFANCA for multinational clients seeking bundled compliance offerings.
• Intertek: UK-listed TIC major providing halal auditing and certification as part of its consumer goods assurance portfolio. Comparable to IFANCA in serving global food and beverage manufacturers with cross-border certification needs.
• Eurofins Scientific: Global food testing and certification group with halal analytical and certification services. Comparable to IFANCA in serving multinational F&B manufacturers, with significantly broader laboratory and analytical capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@abrahamiccenter8587
• Facebookfacebook.com/ifanca
• Instagraminstagram.com/abrahamiccenter
• Xx.com/IFANCA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/islamic-food-and-nutrition-council-of-america-ifanca-

Compliance14 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about IFANCA