India’s first Halal compliant cosmetics is introduced in Gujarat

Mauli Teli, a former life sciences consultant with PWC and her younger sister Girishma Teli, a biotechnologist, returned from the US to invest Rs 5 crore in the Halal-certified unit. Their two year old start-up, Ecotrail Personal Care, on Wednesday introduced 60 products under the brand iba Halal Care eyeing a clientele among Indian Muslims, who form the world's second-largest Muslim population, and vegans.
"We are creating a new category. Halal means lawful or permitted. The concept ensures that all products are free from impurities, ethical, safe and effective", says Mauli Teli, CEO & Managing Partner, Ecotrail Personal Care.
Most cosmetics, deodorants, and perfumes use alcohol or pig fat as ingredients. A Halal product would thus be acceptable even for the Jain community, says Teli whoherself belongs to the community that abstains from non-vegetarian products and alcohol.
Muhamed Meeran, COO of Halal India, a Chennai-based Halal-certification company, says Halal category is $4-trillion-strong globally and cosmetics account for $26-billion. The company that certifies Indian products for exports, mostly to the Middle East, says Ecotrail is the first company to get Halal certification for cosmetics.
Tata Salt, Fortune Oil, Vadilal Ice-cream, Gokul Oil are other known brands among 5500 products from 500 companies that have taken Halal certification for exports.
Nadeem Jafri of Ahmedabad-based HeartyMart says like yoga, Halal too is a concept for healthy living and would gain acceptance.
Chandan Nath, a strategic branding consultant for entrepreneurs, says Halal products can address the needs of vegetarian communities like Brahamins and Jains.
Ecotrail would start with two company owned stores in Ahmedabad and within a year, it plans to open 15-20 stores including an online store.