Taiwan halal certifiers explained

Taiwan has more than one halal certifier, and JAKIM’s list recognises only some of them. That is the first thing to know before you read a certificate on a restaurant wall. This guide names the bodies and shows how to cross-check each one.

Which bodies certify halal in Taiwan?

JAKIM’s list, effective 21 August 2026, recognises two Taiwanese bodies: the Taiwan Halal Integrity Development Association (THIDA) in Taipei and Taiwan Halal Certification Development Co., Ltd (THCD) in Kaohsiung¹. The Chinese Muslim Association (CMA) does not appear in that list.

CMA matters because a travel-industry source, CrescentRating, states that over 230 restaurants and hotels in Taiwan are halal-certified by it². Taiwan’s Tourism Administration reported 396 halal-certified restaurants and hotels in 2023³. The counts come from different sources, so do not add them together.

How do I cross-check a certificate against JAKIM?

Use this routine at the table or the night before.

• Photograph the certificate, including the issuer’s name and the dates.
• Read the issuer’s name exactly as printed.
• Open JAKIM’s list, published as a PDF at halal.gov.my/pdf/cb/FHCB21August2026.pdf⁴, and find the Taiwan entries.
• Compare the names. A close-looking name is not a match.
• Check the expiry date and whether the certificate names this branch.

JAKIM appoints a foreign body for three years and then carries out a review audit⁵. The list is updated, so check the latest version before you fly.

What does each issuer mean for you?

Issuer on the certificate	On JAKIM’s Taiwan list?	How to label it
THIDA or THCD	Yes	Certified halal, check branch and expiry
CMA	No match in the 21 August 2026 list	Certified by a body outside JAKIM’s list
Another body	Check the PDF	Unknown until you match it
No certificate, only a sign	Not applicable	Operator-declared or unknown

The CMA row does not say the certificate is false. It says JAKIM’s list gives you no matching reference, and you decide by your own standard. For a ruling, ask your ustaz or the state mufti office.

What stays unchecked even with a listed body?

A recognised issuer tells you who certified the place. It does not tell you every detail of the kitchen on the day you eat.

• Whether the certificate covers this branch, not only the brand
• Whether the sauces and stocks are covered
• Whether alcohol is used in cooking
• Whether the grill and oil are shared with non-halal dishes

Our guide to the five halal claim states helps you label what you find. For a closer look at certificates in restaurants and shops, read how to read Taiwan halal certification.

What should a first-timer do?

Pick your rule first, such as “JAKIM-listed issuers only” or “any certificate I can verify”. Taipei Grand Mosque opened in 1960⁶, so ask locally for certified places near it if you are staying in Taipei.

Compare your options with the meal-assurance comparison tool. If you are choosing between destinations, read Taiwan versus Hong Kong for Muslim meals and prayer, the Taiwan guide for Malaysians, the Taipei guide and the country and city guides.