04
Local News
@Halal | may-june. 2020
Prevention
better than cure
Halal Best Practices share common values in mitigating
spread of Covid-19 pandemic
The global virus outbreak, which
has affected about four million
people worldwide, has impacted
the norm. The World Health Organization
(WHO) labelled the virus
as Covid-19. It is more harmful to
the elderly and young children.
Transmission of Covid-19 is through
direct contact from respiratory droplets of an
infected person through coughing and sneezing.
Communication is generally through
proximity, i.e. shaking hands, and touching
contaminated surfaces.
To stay safe and avoid being infected, one
must be at all times, ensure cleanliness and
hygiene as utmost practices. This is why Halal
best practices play a vital role since all the
guidelines have already been established
and practised by Muslims and non-Muslims.
The Halal best practices were prepared and
adopted by experts, healthcare practitioners
and business owners in their routines and
are now guidelines for all. Everyone should
be practising self-hygiene and in business
operations throughout the supply chain.
How international
practices and halal best
practices are related
In Islam, cleanliness and hygiene are part of
faith, and in the Quran, Allah SWT says – “...
Indeed Allah loves the penitent, and He loves those
who keep clean.” The word halal means permissible
and lawful. Halal covers all aspects of
life, and it is a universal meaning for both
Muslims and non-Muslims. As we know for
Muslims, halal food, products and services,
meet the requirements stated by Shariah law.
For non-Muslims, it represents wholesomeness
or thoiyyib — hygiene, safety and quality
of the products.
Halal Best Practices are in sync with other
leading ethical practices. It includes methods
by the Food and Agriculture Organisation
Food should not only be
halal but also be hygienic
and safe.
(FAO) of the United Nations and the World
Health Organization (WHO) in the Codex
Alimentarius Food Hygiene (Basic Texts) 4th
Edition, making halal products and services
relevant to Muslims and non-Muslims
alike. The above leading ethical practices rule
that food hygiene encompasses conditions
and measures necessary to ascertain the
safety and suitability of food at all stages of
the supply chain.
Food hygiene
Food hygiene is a part of halal, which complies
with Shariah requirements and with verse
2:168 from the Quran state that; to consume a
thing it must not only be halal, but it shall also
be hygienic and safe. The verse mentioned
a ruling that impure, harmful things like
consuming wildlife and exotic animals as
food are unlawful.
Food hygiene refers to practices ensuring
the quality of food. There should be no
The Halal
best practices
were prepared
and adopted
by experts,
healthcare practitioners
and business owners
in their routines and
are now guidelines for
all. Everyone should
be practising selfhygiene
and in business
operations throughout
the supply chain.”
contamination (directly or indirectly, knowingly
or unknowingly) of chemicals and
microorganisms.
It is crucial to create and maintain
hygienic and healthy conditions of the food
which also known as food safety. It covers
hygiene in the production, handling, storage,
distribution and serving. The objectives are
to prevent food spoilage, to protect food from
adulteration and intentional contamination,
to give awareness to people about practical
and straightforward methods of keeping food
safe against food-borne diseases.
Similar to halal, food hygiene is further
reinforced by the verse 2:195 in the Quran,
which mentions that people should avoid
every kind of destruction, including harm
from food. This includes unclean food. This is
to prevent hazards which can lead to illness
and poisoning.
Not all food handlers and consumers
understand their roles, such as adopting basic
hygienic practices when buying, selling and
preparing food to protect their health and that
of the wider community (WHO – Food Safety),
which is similar to Halal Best Practices.
Important tips introduced in
handling and preparing food
One should take precautionary steps
including;
• To wipe clean food packaging like cans
with disinfectant before being opened or
stored.
• Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly
under running water and remove any
unnecessary packaging and dispose into
a dustbin.
• Do not consume wildlife and exotic animals
as food, the likelihood of this type of
food associated with the global coronavirus
pandemic outbreak.
• To cook food according to the recommended
temperature.
• To use clean utensils and adopting basic
hygienic practices at all times.
Halal Development Corporation (HDC),
through its Training and Consultancy
Services, offers a wide range of courses and
advisories to assist business owners and the
public in the great vision of halal best practices
and businesses.
Please contact onlinetraining@hdcglobal.
com or [email protected] for
further inquiries.