JAKIM Adopts a Rigorous Process to Determine Halal Status

Kuala Lumpur reports that certain chocolates at a multinational confectionery factory were found to contain pig genes. The subsequent denial caused public dissatisfaction regarding the determination of Halal status and who was behind it, as well as why two agencies—the Ministry of Health and the Chemistry Department—were involved in determining Halal status. So which one is the most authoritative?

According to JAKIM Director-General Datuk Othman Mustapha: only the Chemistry Department's investigation findings can be considered, as the Malaysia Halal Certification Procedure Manual regards it as the only highly specialized testing department with professional technical guidance.

Recognized (accredited) by the Standards Department

He said that the Chemistry Department laboratory has been gazetted as a competent food laboratory in the field of guided food analysis. The department is also accredited by the Department of Standards Malaysia to conduct DNA testing under the Malaysia laboratory accreditation standard based on MS ISO/IEC 17025 (2005). Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health laboratory is accredited by the Standards Department to test meat- and seafood-based products, not processed food.

Othman pointed out that the tests conducted by the department were only on samples currently on the market, which may have been contaminated. Food samples should come directly from the factory starting from the manufacturing process, and raw materials, processes, storage, and used machinery and equipment are also taken into consideration. Analyzing and determining Halal/haram status is not a simple matter. Society may think it is very simple—just put the sample under a microscope and immediately find the presence of implicated DNA. In an interview at his Putrajaya office, Othman said: in fact, this is a highly technical process and requires careful observation and a rigorous procedure consistent with the 'farm-to-table' concept of Halal, ensuring nothing is overlooked.

CAREFUL AUDIT

To obtain the Halal stamp, it is the product owner's obligation to initiate the certification process.

Othman pointed out that the assessment procedure does not begin until the product owner applies for Halal status through the e-Halal system. They must declare: all products and materials used, including the materials' suppliers, and whether their suppliers have Halal certification or otherwise. If all raw materials have a JAKIM Halal certificate or recognition from foreign counterparts, the certification can be used as supporting documents.

He said: 'We are very careful about this. If there is suspicion about a raw material, we will take samples and send them to the Chemistry Department for investigation and review before granting any approval.' He said approval must also be carried out at the processing plant to ensure compliance with all aspects of Halal requirements. The material composition will be checked correspondingly to see whether there are purchase invoice declarations and evidence of product purchase and use. Othman said: 'The production process also emphasizes its inclusion of the process flow, equipment, cleaning of the relevant environment, and cleanliness requirements for workers.'

Sample inspection

Othman pointed out that Malaysia's JAKIM has had multinational companies implement a Halal assurance system or appoint an internal operations manager to supervise their manufacturing processes and ensure compliance with Halal certification requirements. He said: 'Recently we agreed that companies should implement their own supervision by sending material samples to recognized (accredited) laboratories. Even if a Halal certificate has been issued, the premise for conducting spot checks is at least once a year. As high-risk industry companies, those involving meat- and poultry-based products, oils, fats, slaughterhouses, and companies without a Halal operating system, Halal operations management or internal Halal committee, will undergo multiple spot checks per year.'

If there is a public complaint, JAKIM will conduct spot checks with the enforcement departments of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs, the Health Services Department, customs and local authorities. He said: 'If measures have been taken, follow-up inspections will be carried out for those failing to comply with MPPHM.' He pointed out that minor violations will be given a warning, and if serious violations are involved, the Halal certificate will be revoked.