november-december . 2020 | @ Halal
Industry Talk
17
Recognition of foreign halal certification bodies ( fhcb )
JAKIM is responsible for Islamic affairs , including halal certification in Malaysia . Therefore , JAKIM plays a significant role in protecting Muslim consumers in Malaysia and it is always JAKIM ’ s responsibility to assure them to seek halal products as urged by Shariah .
For halal certification , JAKIM has to ascertain the halal status of the product at every stage in the process involved by carrying out an official site inspection on the plants to examine on how the halal status of the raw materials is maintained and monitored at all times .
Based on these reasons , JAKIM requires reputable and credible foreign halal certification bodies who will act as JAKIM representatives to monitor and verify the halal status of the raw materials and products with responsibility and integrity .
JAKIM ’ s recognition of Foreign Halal Certification Bodies ( FHCB ) is based on the capability of the foreign halal certification bodies that comply with Malaysian procedures & guidelines .
VALIDITY OF THE RECOGNITION
• The validity of the appointment is for two years .
• The appointed FHCB shall be listed on JAKIM ’ s website under Recognised Foreign Halal Certification Bodies .
• The FHCB shall submit an annual report to JAKIM .
• JAKIM shall carry out an audit review after the appointment period has expired . standards using halal standards MS1500 : 2009 is halal integrity in domestic and foreign food production operations . This needs to be given comprehensive attention involving aspects of the food supply network from the farm to the dining table ( farm-to-fork ). The integrity of individuals consisting of employees , employers or managers involved in complying with the set standards is in doubt .
According to Mohd Al ’ Ikhsan & Siti Salwa ( 2015 ) most food entrepreneurs no longer practice food quality standards set by MS1500 : 2009 after their products have received halal recognition from JAKIM .
Enforcement and prosecution of laws related to the use of halal logos not robust In general , JAKIM will monitor and enforce the use of halal certificates with periodic monitoring and based on complaints made by the public . Apart from that , the inspections carried out are according to three main categories , namely food products , slaughterhouses and food premises . Most of the assessments were the result of JAKIM ’ s initiative and only 20.7 per cent based on complaints .
( Zulkifli , 2009 ). The current system is not robust enough to cover the entire halal compliance issues , and this is not sufficient to increase Muslim confidence .
Lack of awareness among manufacturers and entrepreneurs to apply for a halal certificate It is found that consumers ’ awareness is low because manufacturers or entrepreneurs do not feel that having a halal certificate can provide many benefits to them . They can still conduct a profitable business and have their regular customers . For entrepreneurs , the process of obtaining a halal certification requires an additional cost which causes them to lose interest in pursuing getting a halal logo for their products or premises . ( Noor Fiteri & Masnisah , 2015 ). At the industrial level , the number of small and medium entrepreneurs who adopt halal certification is much smaller compared to the actual number of them .
CONCLUSION
JAKIM is often visited by and has become a reference point for some recognised bodies from countries such as Thailand , Japan , Taiwan etc . in learning matters related to the halal industry . For example , in Japan , they learnt and continue to apply what they have seen in Malaysia .
Now , halal products are displayed in a corner at a specific location in their supermarket . ( Mohd Romzi , 2015 ). The development of the halal industry in Malaysia and globally is very encouraging . It shows a positive result towards realising the desire of each country to become a source country that can offer halal products to the world .
Halal certification whether in Malaysia or issued by a body recognised by JAKIM , is governed by standards and procedures set in line with the requirements of Shariah to produce halal-tayyib products that are the choice of Muslim consumers .
As the halal industry has been evolving for so long , some opportunities and advantages can be a catalyst with challenges that need to be addressed jointly .
Halal certification is to meet the culture of consumers who demand healthy and safe products which give a quality impact . Also , halal certification is a commercial value of trade , namely “ marketing tools ” to reach the domestic and foreign markets because the demand for halal products continues to increase in line with the increasing number of Muslim consumers in the world .”