Halal or Hoax?
Cardiff businessman Hamil Miah is on trial after being accused of selling non-halal chicken to local restaurants while falsely marketing it as halal.
Why This Case Matters
Halal food labeling is not just a regulatory matter — it’s a serious religious requirement for many Muslim consumers. That’s why a recent court case unfolding in South Wales is drawing attention. At the center is a Cardiff-based wholesaler accused of falsely selling non-halal meat under the halal label, potentially misleading dozens of businesses and violating consumer trust.
The Man at the Center: Hamil Miah
Hamil Miah, 46, owns Universal Food Wholesale Limited, a company based in Cardiff. Prosecutors allege that he knowingly distributed non-halal chicken to restaurants and takeaways in Cardiff, Newport, and Blaenau Gwent while claiming the meat complied with halal standards.
Miah denies the allegations, stating that his company did not sell meat at all, but only supplied dried food and soft drinks.
The Prosecution’s Argument: A Web of Companies
Prosecutor Alex Greenwood told Merthyr Crown Court that Miah’s business had no formal halal certification processes or checks in place. According to Greenwood, the lack of structure and oversight was intentional, designed to obscure accountability.
Key claims from the prosecution include:
Universal Food Wholesale had no halal verification policies or due diligence systems.
Another company, Universal Poultry, was allegedly used to handle the meat sales but was ultimately controlled by Miah.
Miah had previously operated under the name GNA Chicken and continued using that brand in communications with clients.
Greenwood argued that these companies were little more than “badges of convenience” to hide the true origin of the meat and avoid responsibility.
The Defense Response
Defense lawyer Benjamin Waidhofer countered by stating that Miah had nothing to do with the sale of chicken. He claimed that any meat sales were managed by Universal Poultry, a company directed by Miah’s childhood friend, Noaf Rahman.
Miah also denied having any current involvement with GNA Chicken, stating that all business under that name had been transferred to Rahman.
When asked whether the halal status of the meat could be proven through forensic testing, Miah declined, saying simply, “Whatever I buy and sell is halal.”
He further argued that any misconduct in the preparation of the meat was the responsibility of employees in the cutting room, whom he accused of being “lazy or dishonest.”
Cultural and Religious Implications
This case has wider implications beyond potential business misconduct. Halal certification carries deep religious significance for Muslim consumers. UK law generally requires animals to be stunned before slaughter, except when exemptions are made for religious reasons, such as halal and kosher meat.
Mislabeling such products can be viewed not only as fraud but as a serious breach of religious and ethical trust.
What’s Next?
The trial at Merthyr Crown Court is ongoing. As testimony continues, the case is likely to spark debate around food regulation, consumer rights, and religious sensitivities.
Whether or not Miah is found guilty, the case underscores the importance of transparency and oversight in the food supply chain — especially when the trust of entire communities is at stake.