Mitigating risks in the halal supply chain: a bibliometric review of the role of technologies

Purpose As demand for halal products expands beyond religious boundaries to embody ethical, health and traceability standards, the halal supply chain faces critical risks (fraud, contamination and human errors) exacerbated by the complexity of global logistics flows. Despite the potential of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies (blockchain, IoT and AI) to secure halal integrity, few studies systematically examine their adaptation to the specific religious and operational requirements of this ecosystem. This research aims to fill this gap by analysing, through a bibliometric review with systematic procedures for data selection and analysis, how these technologies mitigate risks while preserving religious compliance, to propose an integrative framework combining digital innovation and halal ethics. Design/methodology/approach A bibliometric review was conducted on 125 articles from Scopus (2004–2025), using VOSviewer software and RStudio to map keyword co-occurrences and thematic trends. The data was filtered to target the logistical and technological dimensions of the halal supply chain. Findings The main risks identified include fraud, contamination and traceability failures. Emerging technologies specifically address halal vulnerabilities: blockchain ensures immutable traceability, IoT monitors critical conditions (temperature and geolocation) and AI automates anomaly detection. However, their adoption remains limited by the lack of interdisciplinary frameworks aligning technical innovations, religious norms and international regulations. Research limitations/implications This study is limited to publications that focus on technology, potentially neglecting critical regional contexts. Future research should explore technological interoperability, implementation costs and divergent cultural expectations. Practical implications This work provides industry players and regulators with avenues to integrate robust technological solutions, certify halal compliance on a large scale and strengthen resilience in the face of confidence crises. Originality/value This study offers a bibliometric review specifically linking halal supply chain risks to emerging technologies, illuminating the synergies between religious ethics and digital transformation, paving the way for innovative hybrid models.