Bridging the Halal Regulatory Gap: A Comparative Shariah Assessment of Sri Lanka’s Food Legislation

Global Halal Standards (GHS) serve as a reference for countries worldwide to ensure that products comply with Islamic law (Shariah) while supporting international trade. In Sri Lanka, the presence of a multi-ethnic and multi-religious population necessitates halal regulations that protect consumers without disregarding social diversity. This study aims to analyze the adequacy of the Food Act No. 26 of 1980 and the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) Act No. 9 of 2003 in meeting Shariah-based halal requirements. It employs a qualitative, library-based research method by comparing Sri Lanka’s regulations with halal governance models in Malaysia, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the European Union (EU). The analysis focuses on the legal definition of halal, Shariah-compliant slaughter, the purity of ingredients and processing procedures, the prevention of cross-contamination, and halal certification and labeling. The findings reveal four major regulatory gaps: the absence of a legally established definition of halal, the lack of an adequately regulated certification system, insufficient provisions for preventing cross-contamination, and the absence of mandatory halal labeling. This study recommends legislative amendments, the establishment of national halal standards, and the creation of a National Halal Accreditation Body involving accredited certification bodies and a technical advisory committee. These reforms are grounded in Maqasid al-Shariah and the principle of maslahah (public interest) to strengthen consumer protection, facilitate access to international markets, and preserve social harmony in Sri Lanka.