Editorial policy.
How we source and check listings.
Every listing links to its source and shows the date we last checked it. Here is what that means, how we report halal claims, and how corrections work.
1. What every listing has
Every listing in California Halal Guide has three things:
- Street address: taken from the business’s own published information (its website or listing) or another source shown on the page. We don’t visit places in person.
- Source link: a link to where the details came from — usually the business’s own site, or a certifier listing, school registry or public record.
- Last checked date: the date we last compared the listing with its source. Details can change after that date.
2. How Halal Claims are Reported
We do not certify businesses or issue religious rulings.
Halal practices vary widely across different communities and juristic traditions (e.g. hand-slaughtered Zabiha, machine slaughter, certified suppliers, verbal owner claims). We report claims as the business itself publishes them, or as a named certifier publishes them:
- Fully Halal: The establishment claims all meats served are halal and does not serve alcohol on premises.
- Halal Options: The establishment offers select certified halal meat options alongside non-halal items.
- Zabiha Claimed: The establishment specifically states hand-slaughtered Zabiha protocols.
- Certified: A recognized third-party certifying agency (such as HFSAA, Shariah Board of America, or Halal Transactions of Omaha) has published a current certification certificate.
We strongly advise diners, shoppers, and families to confirm current meat sources and kitchen practices directly with management before ordering.
3. Correction Policy
Hours change, businesses relocate, and suppliers switch. When a visitor or business owner reports a discrepancy, our policy is:
- Compare the new information with the business's own website or social channels, or another public source we can link to.
- Update the listing as soon as we can.
- Update the "Checked" date stamp on the listing page.
To report a change, please use our Correction & Submission Form ↗.
4. Advertising and Independence
California Halal Guide maintains strict separation between editorial content and advertising:
- Paid placement is not open yet: If advertising opens later, it will be clearly labeled and will not change factual data or a halal claim.
- Halal status is never for sale: Payment can never alter factual sourcing claims, remove competitor listings, or influence editorial reviews.
- Editorial guides remain independent: Placements in guides like our "Little Arabia Food Guide" are selected based on editorial merit and community significance.