A multi-layer Industry 4.0 framework for ensuring halal integrity in NZ meat supply chains

Ensuring integrity, transparency, and compliance across the halal meat supply chain is increasingly critical in the rapidly expanding global halal economy. Traditional paper-based certification and tracking systems struggle with inefficiency, risk of fraud, and limited traceability. This study provides a comprehensive review of how Industry 4.0 technologies, including Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud Computing, Digital Twins, and Augmented Reality (AR), can be integrated to enhance halal assurance from farm to fork. By synthesizing recent developments and case applications, the study identifies how these technologies collectively improve traceability, automate compliance, strengthen certification accuracy, and enhance consumer trust. The integrated digital framework developed in this review illustrates how combining data-driven and cyber-physical systems can support predictive monitoring, virtual inspections, and ethical transparency within halal logistics. Furthermore, the analysis highlights implementation barriers such as cost, interoperability, and regulatory alignment, offering recommendations for phased adoption through collaboration among industry stakeholders and certifiers. The paper contributes to both theory and practice by proposing a unified Industry 4.0–driven architecture for resilient and trustworthy halal meat supply chains, providing a blueprint for future research and policy development. • Three-layered Industry 4.0 model enhances halal meat integrity in NZ. • Blockchain, IoT, AI, AR, digital twins, and cloud ensure full digital traceability. • Real-time monitoring upholds Sharia, welfare and food safety standards. • Digital system mitigates halal fraud and improves audit accessibility.