NEW YORK – The Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) has granted Impossible Foods’ Oakland, California, plant halal certification under the Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) regulations.

A halal auditor visited and inspected the 68,000-sq.ft. facility, reviewed ingredients and observed the production process before confirming all materials and processes used complied with halal and Islamic dietary laws as defined in the Koran.   

“Securing halal certification is a significant milestone for us,” said David Lee, chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Impossible Foods. “Our goal is to make plant-based meat available to everyone around the world—including to those who have religious dietary restrictions. We’re thrilled that the Impossible Burger can now be served in halal establishments.”

The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (the “Orthodox Union” or OU) certified Impossible Foods kosher earlier this year, and in November the Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI) gave the plant Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification.

Celebrated New York vendor, Royal Grill Halal, now serves Impossible Foods plant-based meats at its 44th St. and Sixth Ave., Midtown Manhattan location. The highest-rated street vendor in New York City, according to YELP reviews, often sees lines stretching down the block.

“I’m very proud to be the first halal cart vendor in all of New York City selling Impossible Foods,” said MD “Royal” Alam, who with his wife started the business in 2005.

Impossible Foods uses science and technology to create meat directly from plants. The company uses soy leghemoglobin (“heme”) from fermented yeast to give the product its animal-meat type attributes.