HALAL FOOD INSTITUTION

1.0              INTRODUCTION

In fact, Muslim in the world conquered about more than one third of human population on this earth. As a Muslim country, Halal requirements must be complied to at all stages of the production and supply chain, including procurement of raw materials and ingredients, logistics and transportation, packaging and labeling. Product of ‘halalness’ is a  sensitive issue nowadays. It is obligatory for Muslims to consume halal food and use halal products solely because they do not eat and use consumer goods for the sake of pleasure only but also for performing their duties, responsibilities and mission in this world.

           

1.1              OBJECTIVES

·         To define the meaning of Halal and Non Halal food

·         To explain the characteristic and benefit of Halal food

·         To explain the effect of consuming Non Halal food and exception to allow consuming Non Halal food

·         To clarify Syubhah food

·         To explain JAKIM certification procedure, PORK FREE premise

·         To clarify how to differentiate between Original and fake HALAL certificate

1.2              IMPORTANCE OF HALAL FOOD INSTITUTION

The basic criteria for halal food refer to the Al Quran and Hadith. In addition, any foods material which is categorized as “gray areas” need a legal opinion from credible Islamic scholars from fatwa or Ulama to determine the halal status of the premises. Nowadays, the existence of halal food institution is quite important in order to take care of Muslim needed. As a Islamic country, this institution should be priority to be located in Malaysia as consuming halal food is a part of worship to Allah the Almighty.

            In Malaysia, demand for halal foods and other Islamic consumer goods are increasing from day to day. It does have a huge opportunity for halal food either for business domestic or international trade. Food industries currently seek for halal concept as a new tool required in marketing strategies.

1.3              PROJECT BACKGROUND

For our group project, deep explanation regarding halal food is being encountered. This includes the definition of halal and non halal food, in order to clarify to people, what halal food really is. Besides, doubtful regarding halal food can be solve from the example and characteristics given based on some researches from convinced sources. On the other hand, advantages of consuming halal food is explained in clearer way to make people confirmed that halal food which is permitted from Allah is having good reasons. Oppositely, the effect of consuming non halal food also being explain in order to sum up the reason why those food being forbidden in Islam. However, there are some exception for Muslim, in specified cases, which allowing them to consume non halal food. In this project, we are elaborating about this topic in detail.

Furthermore, the status of syubhah food is also being clarified in this project. The definition of syubhah and example of food which being locate in this category is explained to solve any misunderstanding regarding this issue. Besides, JAKIM halal certificate procedure and original certificate with fake certificate differences are also being included, together with topic about premises with ‘PORK FREE’ signage. At the end of project, we conclude briefly about this topic.

2.0              HALAL FOOD

2.1              DEFINITION OF HALAL FOOD

Halal is derived from the Arabic word which means permitted or allowed by Islamic law. Halal food is a food which is permitted / allowed to be eaten. In Malaysia, halal food is certified by JAKIM. Halal includes the ingredient of food, besides equipment to process food does not mix with non halal food. Besides, slaughtering halal animal would have to be properly done prior to consumption to ensure the quality of meat and to avoid any microbial contamination, which basically covers the toyibban part of halalan toyibban.

Malaysia has defined halal food through its MS1500:2009: Halal Food - Production, Preparation, Handling and Storage under Shariah Law and they does not contain any parts or products of animals that are non-halal to Muslims or products of animals which are not slaughtered according to Shari'ah law. Besides, it does not contain any ingredients that are Najs according to Shari'ah law, safe and not harmful not prepared, processed or manufactured using equipment that is contaminated with things that are Najs (filth or unclean) according to Shari'ah law. The food or its ingredients do not contain any human parts or its derivatives that are not permitted by Shari'ah law. And for the last one, during its preparation, processing, packaging, storage or transportation, the food is physically separated from any other food that does not meet the requirements.

2.2              PROVE FROM AL QURAN

“Oh people! Eat of the lawful and pure things in the earth and follow not in the footsteps of Satan. For surely he is your open enemy.” Surah Al Baqarah : 168.

2.3              CHARACTERISITICS OF HALAL FOOD

There are several characteristics of halal food such as no evidence of haram to ban it.  Healthy and do not cause harm. Slaughtered and clean animals. Plants that are not poisonous. Process in clean mannered using halal ingredients, and free from filth. Must be prepare using equipment free from filth cutting tools. Must not come in contact with foods which are non halal or filthy during processing or storage. Example: meat which is slaughtered in correct way.

2.4              BENEFITS OF CONSUMING HALAL FOOD

Consuming halal food give people various benefits. It make us healthy due to low rates of incidences of food poisoning and contamination besides, the halal process produces cleaner, more tender and tastier meat/ other foods. On the other hand, halal food gives the goods effect for spiritual and physical. In term of goodness, consuming halal food will make people acquire blessing and forgiveness from Allah.  It make dua’and prayer easier to be achieved and accepted.

3.0              NON HALAL FOOD

3.1`      DEFINITION OF NON HALAL FOOD

The opposite of halal is haram/non-halal which means forbidden and prohibited. There are four categories of food and drinks prohibited in Islam. First category is non halal food is prohibited by itself. This category comprises any food and drink prohibited by a clear text from the Quran. Secondly, it is prohibited due to external factors. It included any food or drinks which are basically Halal but transformed into Haram due to one of the Haram determining factors thereby making them prohibited. The third one is prohibited due to harmfulness which is any food or drinks that harm human body or health. The last one is prohibited due to impurity and filthiness. It can be explain as any food or drinks that are not clean and pure are Haram. The goodness and wholesomeness of food and drinks are deteriorated by filth and impurity thus making them Haram.

            3.2       PROVE FROM AL QURAN

“He has made unlawful to you only carrion and blood and the flesh of swine and that over which there has been pronounced the name of anyone other than Allah’s. But he who is constrained (to eat of them) – and he neither covets them nor exceeds the indispensable limit incurs no sin: Allah is All-Forgiving, All-Compassionate.” Surah Al Baqarah : 173

            3.3       CHARACTERISTICS OF NON HALAL FOOD

There are several characteristics of non halal food. Among of the characteristics; it is improperly slaughtered which does not recite the name of Allah. Besides, it contains non halal ingredients. On the other hand, the food consists of poison and may give harm to health. Last one, all kind of decay and dead and dead animals, pig and heredity and so on. Example: pork, blood, alcohol and other intoxicants.

            3.4       EXCEPTION OF CONSUMING NON HALAL FOOD

            Islam is a religion which made life as priority. Allah never burden His slaves, and He always gives looseness to the rule that He already decided if there is any problem raising. For this case, non halal food is allowed for Muslim if that people being stranded at the place that there are no halal food can be find. There is no excuse for someone eating haram meat if he can find something such as fruits, vegetables (even raw) to eat. In this case, that person needs to eat to save their life and there is only non halal food available there. But however, that non halal food should be eaten only in a small amount of it to survive until we can find a halal foods. There is a prove regarding this issue as stated below:

“And why should you not eat of that (meat) on which Allah Name has been pronounced (at the time of slaughtering the animal), while He has explained to you in detail what is forbidden to you, except under compulsion of necessity?” Al An Am; verse 119.

            3.5       EFFECTS OF CONSUMING NON HALAL FOOD

The main reason why Muslim should avoid consuming non halal food is it will futile our ibadah as Allah has forbid it to be consumed. Eating Haram foods promotes evils instincts, kills the taste of ‘Ibaadah and makes the prayers ineffective. In contrast, eating Halal generates inner light, creates a distaste for evils deeds, leads towards high morals, and creates a state in which the heart welcomes ‘Ibaadah and finds the very thought of sin sickening and of course, prayers are answered. Therefore Almighty Allah told all the His Prophets to eat from what is good and to do what is righteous:-

يأَيُّهَا الرُّسُلُ كُلُواْ مِنَ الطَّيِّبَـتِ وَاعْمَلُواْ صَـلِحاً إِنِّى بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ

 Oh Messengers! Eat of the pure and do righteous deeds. Verily, I am well-acquainted with what you do. (Surah 23: Verse 51)

                Besides, there is any other proves that explain the effect of consuming non halal food which is :

“Jaabir (Radiyallaahu Anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said, No meat (person) that was nourished with haraam will enter paradise. Every meat (person) that was nourished with haraam is more deserving of the Fire. “(Musnad Ahmad, Daarami, Baihaqi; Mishkaatul Masaabih pg. 242, Qadeemi). This sentence mentioned that for those who consuming non halal food, he or she cannot enter the paradise. The second prove is as below:
“To have an acceptable Du’a’, you should eat only the Halal (Lawful) since a person may be deprived of his Dua’ being answered for forty days because of eating a mouthful of Haram food.” (Al-Asfahani in Al-Targhib)” This sentence explained that those who consuming non halal food, his prayer will not be granted.

4.0       SYUBHAH FOOD

            4.1       DEFINITION OF SYUBHAH FOOD

Have some confusion in selection of foods. Which is the food did not being stated whether it is HALAL or HARAM.  For a Muslim it is better not to eat this kind of food.  Food Flavour contains alcohol act as a carrier which will evaporate during food processing may differ from accepted by some other Muslim. Beverage (Vinegar or concentrated syrup) contains alcohol act as stabiliser which does not intoxicate a person which may differ from accepted by some other Muslim. RAMYEON is a instant noodles import from Korea. Korea is not a country of ISLAM. So the food is being not stated whether it is halal or haram.

4.2       PORK FREE PREMISE

Muslims must always be conscious of the requirements of Syariah law when it comes to food. Nowadays, we can see in Malaysia there are some outlets which just put the 'pork-free' label at their premises do not represent what is meant by halal. This signboard are really confusing either the food are Halal to be by the Muslims or the outlet or premise just didn’t serve pork but there still the other non-halal food in their premise. Halal stands for “permissible” or “lawful” in Arabic, and provides assurance that the food does not contain ingredients that Muslims are forbidden to consume, such as alcohol, pork, and meat from cattle and poultry that were not slaughtered according to Islamic protocols.

These are types of “pork-free” restaurant across the Malaysia.

1. The restaurant does not serve pork but the operator wishes to cater to the needs of non- Muslims by serving alcohol on their premise; because of that JAKIM will not issue halal certificate to a restaurant that operates in this manner, even though halal meat is served (the operator procures meat for his restaurant from halal certified supplier.
2. The other category of pork-free restaurant is a premise that serves halal food (procures meat from halal certified supplier) but operated by non-Muslims and the operator does not bother to apply for halal certificate from JAKIM.
3. Pork-free restaurants do not use halal meat (slaughtered according to muslim law), but some Muslims do eat at these places, but they will only consume meat-free and alcohol-free food - dishes like seafood, eggs etc.

4.0              JAKIM CERTIFICATION           

            5.1       CERTIFICATION PROCEDURE

            Halal Certification is a process by which a Government-controlled Agency or a credible Islamic organization certifies (Board) that a company's products can be lawfully consumed by Muslims. In Malaysia the Agency is called by Jabatan Kemajuan Agama Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) that authorizes to give or to recall the halal certification for serving food in a premise. Those premise who are serving food that meet the criteria for certification are issued with Halal Certificates and they may use the Halal symbol on their products and for advertising. Food labeling laws around the world require that claims made on the product label be certified as true. A "Halal Certified" stamp on a label is often seen by Muslim customers as a sign of a trustworthy or genuine product. Such a stamp may even be required for the export of food to certain Muslim countries.

A Halal certificate is an assurance that a particular product has been thoroughly investigated and found to conform to the Islamic Shariah Laws and therefore is suitable for use by Halal consumers. Products certified as Halal by the Board can utilise the registered trademark Halal logo. In Malaysia the premise can apply the Halal certification to the JAKIM but there are really straight terms and condition that apply for the certificate. These are the flow process procedure in applying for the Halal Certificate.

When the premise are fulfill the condition and the requirement for applying the Halal Certificates, the JAKIM with the other related authorities will come for visiting and audit the process of preparing the Halal Food and also the raw material for the foods. This raw material are compulsory have the Halal Certificate from their origin, As example the meat must come from the slaughter house that having and already being certificate by the JAKIM that the process for processing meat are follow the Syariah Law, Then when the JAKIM and the authorities are satisfied with the process and the raw material, JAKIM will certified the premise and the food with the Halal Certificate for two (2) years. Then the premise need to re-evaluate to make sure the premise is fully follow the Syariah Law when processing the foods.

These are the condition and also the requirement of applying the Halal Certificate from JAKIM:

                               I.            Register with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM)/ Malaysia

                            II.            Co-operative Societies Commission/ other government agencies;

                         III.            Hold a business license from the Local Authorities (PBT)/ testimonial from government agency;

                         IV.            In full operation before an application is made;

                            V.            Produce and/ or handle only halal products and in compliance with the specified halal standard;

                         VI.            Ensure sources for ingredients are halal and choose suppliers who supply halal materials or have obtained recognized halal certificate;

                      VII.            Apply for all types of products/ menu which are produced by the factory/premise;

                   VIII.            Applications for repackaging must be accompanied with recognized halal certificate for the said products

 The requirements for the food premise to get the Halal Certification from JAKIM:

                               I.            Ensure raw material/ ingredient sources are halal and safe;

                            II.             Raw material/ ingredient which are sourced from animal shall have a valid halal certificate;

                         III.            Sources of imported animal-based raw materials shall come from approved plants by JAKIM and Department of Veterinary Services (DVS);

                         IV.            Raw material without halal certification shall be accompanied with complete specification (indicating material composition, flow chart and its raw material sources);

                            V.            Raw materials, processing aid and product/ menu shall be listed in detail in the application form; and

                         VI.            Non-halal raw material/ ingredient is not allowed to be stored in the premise.

JAKIM has the authorities to reject the application from the premise the following reasons:

• The company is producing and distributing halal and non halal products;
• Product is not halal;
• Natural substance that do 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;

5.2       DIFFERENT BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND FAKE CERTIFICATE

                Currently, there are so many fake certificates which pretend like their food is already approved by JAKIM. This issue makes Muslim people doubt and worry. Some premises of food use fake certificate to attract people without considering the effect that they should face regarding this matter. Figure below shows the differentiation in halal logo and people can determine the originality of that logo based on this differences.

5.0              CONCLUSION

By the end of this project, we might know Halal food is a food that is permitted to be eaten by Muslims. There are many characteristics and advantages of Halal food. There are several foods that cannot be eaten by Muslims due to the process and the material to produce the food.

            As we know, Pork and Alcohol is forbidden in Islam. But there are some reasons which allow Muslims to eat them which called Darurat. Syubhah is confusion in selection of food which is not been stated it is Halal or Haram.

            The selection of food in Islam is so important. That’s why there is an organization called JAKIM that control the state of the food either it is Halal or Haram by approval certificate.

6.0              REFERENCE

1. Feri Kusnandar, The Importance of Halal Food Management in Indonesia, accessed on May 14, 2016. https://seafast.ipb.ac.id/publication/presentation/Halal-Food-Management-In-Indonesia.pdf.

2.  Halal Industry Development Corporation, Food & Beverages, accessed on May 15, 2016, http://www.hdcglobal.com/publisher/bhis_food_and_beev.

3. Shahidan Shafie, Prof. Dr. Md Nor Othman, Halal Certification: an international marketing issues and challenges.

4. Irfan Sungkar, Darhim Hashim, The Global Halal Food Market And Updates on Global Halal Standards, accessed on May 15, 2016, http://halalrc.org/images/Research%20Material/Presentations/GLOBAL%20HALAL%20STANDARDS.pdf.