Guide · In your state

Your state's halal law in plain words

Ten states have a law about halal food. Here is what each one asks of businesses, what you may see posted, and what happens when the law is broken.

From HCC's research into the laws of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and Mexico, completed October 14, 2026. Each state links to the law itself.

The ten states at a glance

California: False halal claims are a crime. Places selling both kinds post large signs.
Illinois: Each location registers with the state, names its certifier and posts a disclosure.
Maryland: A posted statement of the basis for the claim. Rules for Arabic lettering.
Michigan: False halal claims are a crime. Labels for mixed sellers. Rules for Arabic lettering.
Minnesota: False halal claims and labels are barred. No sign or registration rule.
New Jersey: A posted disclosure of the basis for the claim, on the state's form.
New York: Certifiers and places file with the state. Ads name the certifier.
Texas: False halal sales are an offense. Labels for stores selling both kinds of meat.
Virginia: A halal label or display names its authority, or how to look it up.
Washington: Knowingly selling food falsely represented as halal is a crime. Since 2024.

What the laws have in common

A false halal claim is itself an offense in seven of the ten: California, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Texas and Washington. Several require that the seller knew, or meant to deceive. New Jersey, New York and Virginia turn on disclosure, filing or naming the authority, and a false claim there falls under general consumer protection law.
Places that sell both halal and non-halal food must say so plainly in California, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New York and Texas, often in letters at least four inches tall.
Naming the source. Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Virginia ask businesses to post, file or show the basis for their halal claim, or the name of the certifier behind it.
The duties fall on the business that sells the food. New York and New Jersey also have rules for certifiers and supervisors.
Each state words its own definition, and none names a school of law or a certifier. How the words are used.

California

Penal Code 383c · HCC's check adds California's items

In plain words. It is a misdemeanor, with intent to defraud, to sell meat or food falsely represented as halal, or as prepared under Islamic religious requirements.

What you may see. A meat seller that sells both halal and nonhalal meat shows "halal and nonhalal meats sold here" on its window signs and display advertising, and a "halal meat" or "nonhalal meat" sign over each kind, in block letters at least 4 inches tall. A restaurant that serves both shows "halal and nonhalal food served here" in the same size.

If it is broken. A fine of $100 to $600, 30 to 90 days in county jail, or both.

Read the law: Penal Code 383c

Illinois

Halal Food Act, 410 ILCS 637 · Consumer Fraud Act, 815 ILCS 505/2LL · 8 Ill. Adm. Code Part 190 · HCC's check adds Illinois's items

In plain words. It is a Class B misdemeanor to make any statement that could lead a reasonable person to take non-halal food for halal, and the Act lists further offenses for false labels, missing signs and separation. Separately, every business that represents food as halal registers each location with the Illinois Department of Agriculture ($75, valid until June 30 each year), names its certifying entity with its name, address and phone, files and posts a disclosure statement, and keeps its halal purchase records for 2 years. Since 2025, halal food offered by State-owned or State-operated facilities, such as hospitals and prisons, must be bought from a "halal-certified vendor".

What you may see. The posted state registration and disclosure. Where unpackaged halal and non-halal food are both sold, an entrance window sign reading "Halal and Non-Halal Foods Sold Here" (or "Served Here"), "halal food" and "non-halal food" signs over the displays, separate cabinets or dividers, and separate utensils.

If it is broken. A Class B misdemeanor for each offense under the Halal Food Act. A breach of the registration and disclosure rules is an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud Act, which the Department of Agriculture can refer to the Attorney General.

Read the law: 637/5, 637/10, 637/15, 637/25, 815 ILCS 505/2LL, Part 190

Maryland

Commercial Law 14-3601 to 14-3604 · HCC's check adds Maryland's items

In plain words. Anyone who represents unpackaged food to the public as halal, by a sign, an ad, an emblem or a mark, posts a disclosure statement on the Attorney General's form that states the basis for the claim, including how the food is prepared and handled. The business keeps copies for 3 years, gives one to the Consumer Protection Division within 2 business days of a request, and follows it in practice. False halal claims are barred.

What you may see. The posted disclosure statement. At a place that sells both, window signs reading "halal and nonhalal food sold here" in block letters at least 4 inches tall. Next to any Arabic lettering or other halal claim, in English letters at least as large: "we sell halal meat and food only", "we sell nonhalal meat and food only" or "we sell both halal and nonhalal meat and food".

If it is broken. An unfair or deceptive trade practice: a civil fine up to $10,000 per violation and up to $25,000 for a repeat, and a misdemeanor with a fine up to $1,000, up to 1 year in jail, or both.

Read the law: 14-3601, 14-3602, 14-3603, 14-3604, 13-410

Michigan

Michigan Penal Code, MCL 750.297f · HCC's check adds Michigan's items

In plain words. Three acts are misdemeanors when done with intent to defraud: falsely representing food as halal; failing to identify "halal meat" or "halal food" when halal and nonhalal are shown for sale together; and displaying Arabic characters other than the word "halal", or a mark that imitates them, without the English statement described below. Willfully marking non-halal food as halal, and removing a slaughterhouse's halal marks, are also offenses. Nonhalal food kept in a place that advertises halal only is presumed to show intent to defraud.

What you may see. Labels that identify the halal meat or halal food where both kinds are sold. Next to Arabic lettering, in English letters at least as large: "we sell halal meat and food only", "we sell nonhalal meat and food only" or "we sell both halal and nonhalal meat and food".

If it is broken. A misdemeanor. The section sets no fine or jail term of its own. The state's Department of Agriculture investigates, inspects and enforces it.

Read the law: MCL 750.297f

Minnesota

Minn. Stat. 31.658 · HCC's check adds Minnesota's items

In plain words. No one may serve, sell or offer food falsely represented as halal, label food with the "Halal" sign unless it was prepared and maintained in compliance with the laws and customs of the Islamic religion, or make a statement that could lead a reasonable person to take non-halal food for halal. A business that relied in good faith on a slaughterhouse, processor, distributor or certifying organization has a defense. Non-halal food kept at a place of business is presumed to be offered for sale.

What you may see. Nothing required. Minnesota has no halal sign, posting or registration rule.

If it is broken. Enforcement runs through chapter 34A of Minnesota's statutes: an administrative citation up to $1,500 per violation, a court civil penalty up to $7,500 a day, and a misdemeanor, or a gross misdemeanor in some cases.

Read the law: 31.658, chapter 34A

New Jersey

Halal Food Consumer Protection Act, N.J.S.A. 56:8-98 to 56:8-103 · N.J.A.C. 13:45A-22 · HCC does not check here yet

In plain words. A "dealer" that represents food as halal (a restaurant, store, butcher shop, caterer, bakery, supermarket and many others) discloses the basis for that representation on a sign posted where the food is sold, using the state's disclosure form, which it returns within 14 days. Advertising includes websites, menus, fliers and in-store signs. The dealer keeps records of its halal purchases for 2 years, and caterers, nursing homes and camps give the statement to the customer before signing a contract. Anyone who supervises halal for a New Jersey dealer files a yearly list of the places it supervises. A dealer that relied in good faith on a supplier's halal representation has a defense.

What you may see. The posted disclosure statement.

If it is broken. An unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud Act: a penalty up to $10,000 for a first offense and up to $20,000 for each later one, plus restitution. The Division of Consumer Affairs enforces it.

Read the law: Consumer Fraud Act (state compilation), P.L. 2000, c.60, N.J.A.C. 13:45A-22.3

New York

Halal Foods Protection Act, Agriculture and Markets Law 201-e to 201-h · HCC does not check here yet

In plain words. Anyone who certifies non-packaged food as halal files a statement of qualifications with the Department of Agriculture and Markets. A food establishment or caterer that sells halal-represented food prepared on its premises or under its control files its certifier's name, address and phone, and posts a halal certification form where customers can see it. Packaged halal food cannot be sold until the producer or distributor registers its certifier. Every advertisement that represents food as halal names the certifier. Retailers of halal meat also follow rules for marking fresh meat and keeping purchase records for 2 years.

What you may see. The posted halal certification form. At a place that sells both, window signs reading "halal and non-halal meat sold here" or "halal and non-halal food sold here" in block letters 4 inches tall. The certifier's name in ads. The state also publishes lists of registered certifiers and establishments.

If it is broken. Fines up to $1,000 for a first violation, $5,000 for a second and $10,000 for a third and each later one. The department may name violators publicly. The Department of Agriculture and Markets enforces it.

Read the law: 201-e, 201-f, 201-g, 201-h. The state's lists: registered certifiers, and registered establishments through its halal registration page.

Texas

Business and Commerce Code 17.881 to 17.885 · HCC's check adds Texas's items

In plain words. It is an offense to knowingly or intentionally sell, at a restaurant or a retail store, food represented as halal that is not halal, when the seller knows it is not or was reckless about finding out. The law describes halal as food prepared and served in conformity with Islamic religious requirements "according to a recognized Islamic authority".

What you may see. In a store that sells both halal and nonhalal meat, each portion of halal meat labeled "halal", and each display case or container of unwrapped meat labeled "halal" or "nonhalal".

If it is broken. A fine of $10 to $200. A customer may also sue for damages under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

Read the law: Chapter 17, Subchapter I

Virginia

Va. Code 3.2-5124 · HCC's check adds Virginia's items

In plain words. It is unlawful to label repackaged food, or to display or offer unwrapped food, as halal (or kosher) without naming the person or body authorizing that designation, by its name or symbol, or by giving a phone number or website where the information can be found.

What you may see. On the halal label or display: the name or symbol of the authority behind the claim, or a phone number or website to look it up.

If it is broken. A knowing violation is a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Read the law: 3.2-5124

Washington

Halal Food Consumer Protection Act, RCW 69.91 (2024) · HCC's check adds Washington's items

In plain words. No one may knowingly sell or offer food represented as halal, in any language, by word, writing, sign, mark or symbol, when the seller knows it is not halal and the claim is likely to make a buyer believe it is. The law describes halal as food "prepared, processed, and maintained in strict accordance with the requisites of Islamic principles and customs including, but not limited to, the slaughter of an animal and preparation thereof for human consumption."

What you may see. Nothing required. Washington has no halal sign or registration rule.

If it is broken. A gross misdemeanor, and also a violation of the Consumer Protection Act, so the Attorney General and private parties can sue.

Read the law: 69.91.010, 69.91.020, 69.91.030

States with a kosher law only

These ten states have a law about kosher food and none about halal. A business there has no halal sign, filing or disclosure duty, though a false food claim can still fall under the state's general consumer protection law. A kosher sign on the wall may come from these laws.

Arizona: A.R.S. 36-941 to 36-943
Georgia: O.C.G.A. 10-1-393.11
Kentucky: KRS 367.850
Louisiana: La. R.S. 40:608.2
Massachusetts: M.G.L. c. 94, sec. 156
Missouri: RSMo 196.165
Ohio: ORC 1329.29. A halal bill, HB 623, was introduced in December 2025; HCC's research found no action on it after February 2026.
Pennsylvania: 18 Pa.C.S. 4107.1
Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws 21-16-1 to 21-16-4
Wisconsin: Wis. Stat. 97.56

States with neither

HCC's research found no halal law and no kosher law in the other 30 states and the District of Columbia. That includes South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. The search for Tennessee was incomplete, so it is not named here. In those places, the halal words on a sign answer to the state's general consumer protection law, and to the questions customers ask.

The research searched each state's laws, by full text where the state allowed it and by headings and searches elsewhere. A search can miss a provision, and a new law can pass at any time. If you know of one we missed, please tell us at [email protected].

Canada and Mexico

Canada. The word "halal", Arabic letters or any mark likely to give the impression that food is halal may be used in labeling, packaging, advertising or selling only if the name of the person or body that certified the food is shown. Menus count as advertising. Food and Drug Regulations, B.01.050.
Mexico. No halal law. A voluntary national standard, NMX-F-595-SCFI-2015, sets out its own certification scheme for food labeled under it.
HCC does not check in Canada or Mexico yet. Each will open with its own rules.

How HCC's checks use these laws

In California, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Texas, Virginia and Washington, each check adds that state's items, and they must pass at every level. A required sign that is missing is a finding.
New York and New Jersey are not open yet, while HCC's counsel answers whether HCC itself would have to file there. Businesses there can join the free notify-me list.
In every state, the business names its real halal source, its supplier or its certifier, and HCC never says in its own voice that food is halal.

Section 12 of the Standard

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