The global ingredients industry was estimated at $245 billion in 2015 across food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics products. The industry is highly sophisticated, with the leading players predominantly located in non-OIC countries, and there is a substantial range of ingredients that are sourced either from animals or that contain alcohol content.

The use of haram ingredients and unintended consumption by Muslims is widespread, with a general lack of awareness among Muslim consumers and importers. In 2014, the 57 Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states imported in total $33 billion of ingredients across all categories, accounting for 13 percent of total ingredients demand.

The most notable haram ingredients include gelatin, lard, pepsin (which is used in dairy products, in particular cheese), and carmine (red coloring derived from insects). As consumer awareness increases and as OIC member states become stricter in their requirements for halal ingredients, there are substantial opportunities for halal ingredients manufacturers to address the global Muslim consumer market.

In this current environment, there is a high need for robust halal certification across the food value chain in order to ensure non-halal ingredients are not used.