So as we know by now, halal does not just apply to the food and beverage (F&B) industry. However, since this is an F&B blog, let’s focus on just this aspect.
We can’t just call our products “halal” on a whim, even if you follow the halal methods of preparing food and drinks.
In fact in Malaysia, your business needs to be certified by Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM).
The certificate is the Malaysia Halal Certificate, which is an official document stating the halal status of products and/ or services according to the Malaysia Halal Certification scheme issued by the competent authority.
You would need to follow the Malaysian Standard called ‘Halal Food: Production, Preparation, Handling, and Storage – General Guide (MS 1500:2009) – related MS for Food & Beverage
It was developed under the Malaysian Standard Development System, under the wing of the Department of Standardization Malaysia (DSM), Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation.
This standard contains practical guidelines for the food industry on the preparation and handling of halal food (including nutrient enhancers). It aims to set the ground rules for food products or food businesses in Malaysia.
The standard is used by JAKIM as the basis for certification whilst other requirements will also be taken into account to complete the certification process.
Applicants who are eligible to apply for the Halal Confirmation Certificate are categorized as follows:
- Food Product/ Beverages/ Food Supplement
- Food Premise
- Consumer Good
- Cosmetic and Personal Care
- Pharmaceuticals
- Logistics
- Slaughterhouse
Application for the certificate for national and international markets should be submitted to the JAKIM Halal Hub via an online application.
For local markets, however, the application must be submitted directly to JAIN/MAIN (whichever is relevant).
Three forms need to be filled in Products / Consumer Goods, Food Premise, and Slaughter House forms.
The following list of required documents and relevant certificates also need to be submitted either online or in-person:
- Company profile;
- Company / business registration;
- Name and description of product/menu for certification;
- Ingredients used;
- Name and address of manufacturer/ingredient supplier;
- Halal status for ingredients with the halal certificate or product specification for critical ingredients (if relevant);
- Type of packaging material;
- Manufacturing process and procedure;
- Other documents such as HACCP, ISO, GHP, GMP, TQM, etc. (If any); and
- Location map of premise/factory.
The applicant must create a “Halal Confirmation Certificate” file to store all relevant documents for reference during premise inspection. Applications will be unsuccessful for the following reasons:
- The company is producing and distributing halal and non-halal products;
- Product is not halal;
- A natural substance that does not involve any processing;
- Drugs or products that are categorized as pharmaceutical products by the Ministry of Health Malaysia ;
- Hair color/hair dye;
- Processed products which were manufactured overseas;
- Products that are labeled with names synonymous to confusing terminologies such as ‘bak kut teh’ and so on;
- Fertilizers and animal feed;
Applications can also be done and monitored through an app created by a Universiti Teknologi Malaysia lecturer Dr. Mohd Iskandar Illyas Tan.
The app, called QuikHalal, simplifies and speeds up the certificate application process to help more businesses get certified.
Settling the certification process quickly was essential, as companies need to update their halal certificates every two years for manufacturing and food premises, while abattoirs need to renew annually.
The average application takes between six to 24 months to be vetted by an internal auditor.
The app is available on a subscription basis starting at RM99 a month, though more subscriptions are required for companies with multiple premises or products.
Be a part of MIFB 2020 to present your halal products to the buyers, your product would probably end up on the shelves of the well-known supermarkets, convenient stores, and even airlines. Reserve your booth now!
