Standards and Regulations

The Malaysian Standard entitled ‘Halal Food: Production, Preparation, Handling and Storage – General Guide (MS 1500:2009) was developed under the Malaysian Standard Development System, under the wing of Department of Standardization Malaysia (DSM), Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The full name of the Malaysian standard is "General Guidelines for the Production, Preparation, Handling and Storage of Halal Foods"”(MS1500:2009), developed from the Malaysian Standards Development System, is a branch of the Malaysian Department of Science, Technology and Innovation Standardization.

The Malaysian Standard is one of five government initiatives in realizing the dream of establishing Malaysia as the center of halal food.

The Malaysian Standard is one of the government's five initiatives to establish Malaysia as a halal food hub in the future.

The standard was developed by the National Industrial Standardization Committee related to Halal matters(ISC I), and is represented by multiple organisations including JAKIM, that acts as the Chairman for the Technical Committee. Please refer to Appendix 1 for an overview of the standardization development system in Malaysia and how ISC I contributes to this system.

Standards are established by the National Industrial Standardization Committee on Halal Matters and are used by many organizations such asWHICHFor details, please refer to Appendix 1: Overview of Malaysia’s Standards Development System andISCIHow to contribute to the system.

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. It will be used by JAKIM as the basis for certification whilst other requirements will also be taken into account to complete the certification process.

This standard contains the practical guidelines for the preparation and handling of halal food industry (including nutritional fortification). Its goal is to establish a basic rule for food production and trade in Malaysia.WHICHUsed for basic authentication, while other requirements must also be taken into account to complete the authentication process.

Refer to Appendix 2 for a summary of the Malaysian Standard development pertaining to halal food.

Refer to Annex 2 for a summary of the development of Malaysian standards related to Halal food.

This document has undergone the process required by international standardization agencies such as; International Standardization Organization (ISO), where the international standardization development system is based on the agreement of all vital parties,including governments, private sectors, NGOs, researchers and professional bodies. Malaysia (DSM) uses the same ISO policy.

This document has passed the required procedures of international standards bodies, such asISO,The international standards system is built on the consensus of key sectors, including government, private sector,NGO, research centers and professional institutions. Malaysia andISOUse a common policy.

Food and Beverage

Aim

This guideline is meant to guide and serve as a reference point for any authority responsible for halal certification to determine whether a product is halal or not. This guide also aims to provide entrepreneurs and the public (Muslim or non Muslim) with an understanding and clarification of the aspects of halal according to principles that encompass preparation, processing, storage, packaging, handling and transportation of food, beverage and consumer goods applicable to muslims.

This guide is intended to guide and serve as a reference point for determining whether a product is halal. It also provides businesses and the public with information on the principles of halal, including the preparation, processing, storage, packaging, and handling procedures for food and beverages intended for Muslims.

Source Of Food And Beverage

The main sources of food and drinks for humans are, animals, plants, natural substances, chemicals and micro-organisms of which some are halal and some are not.

Food and beverages for humans are derived primarily from animals, plants, natural substances, chemicals and microorganisms, some of which are halal and some are not.

Land Animals

All land animals are deemed halal to be consumed except;

·  Animals not slaughtered in accordance with Halal principles.

·  Swine.

·  Dog.

·  Animals which have fangs or tusks for hunting other predators such as tigers, bears, elephants, rhinoceros, cats and other similar animals.

·  Birds with talons, sharp beaks, birds of prey such as eagles, owls and others similar.

·  Animals that are sanctioned by Islam to be killed like rats, scorpions, crows, centipedes, snakes and the like.

·  Animals which are forbidden in Islam to be killed such as ants, bees, woodpeckers, swallows and spiders.

·  Animals which are considered as repulsive (foul) in Islam such as lice, flies, maggots and the like.

·  Animals that live on land and in water (both worlds), such as frogs, crocodiles, turtles, seals and the like.

·  All plants and animals derived through biotechnology are deemed halal except for those produced using the DNA from any one of the swine or dog species.

All land animals are considered halal except for the following:

·  Animals not slaughtered in a halal manner.

·  pig

·  dog

·  A carnivore with fangs or tusks, such as tigers, bears, elephants, rhinos, rats, and other similar animals.

·  Birds with claws or sharp beaks, such as hawks, owls, and similar birds of prey.

·  Animals that are allowed to be killed in Islam include rats, scorpions, crows, centipedes, snakes, etc.

·  In Islam, it is forbidden to kill animals such as ants, bees, swallows, woodpeckers and spiders.

·  Animals that are considered ugly in Islam include lice, flies, maggots, etc.

·  Amphibians, such as frogs, crocodiles, turtles, seals, etc.

·  All plants and animals derived from biotechnology are considered halal, except those whose DNA is derived from any dog ​​or pig.

Water Animals

Water animals are animals which live in water only intrinsically. They are clean and can be eaten, except for those that are poisonous, intoxicating and harmful to human health.

Animals that have always lived in water, are clean and edible, except those that are poisonous, narcotic, or harmful to humans.

Plants

All plant types and their products are deemed halal except for those which are poisonous, intoxicating, pose a danger to human health and biotechnology produced plants using DNA derived from forbidden substances.

All plants and their products are halal, except those that are poisonous, narcotic, harmful to human health, and those produced through biotechnology whose DNA is derived from prohibited substances.

Beverage

All types of water are deemed halal for drinking except those that are poisonous, intoxicating, harmful to human health and polluted by wastes.

All types of water are considered halal except those that are poisonous, intoxicating, harmful to human health and contaminated by filth.

Natural Substances

All natural substances such as water, minerals and others are permissible unless polluted by sewage, are toxic, intoxicating and dangerous to health.

All natural substances such as water, minerals and others are allowed, except those that are poisonous, harmful or narcotic.

Clothing and EquipmentClothing and equipment

·  Clothing and equipment derived from plant sources are permissible.

·  Materials and clothing made from animal fur can be used except for pig and dog fur.

·  Clothing materials made from bones, horns, claws and teeth of animals that are halal when slaughtered according to Halal law are permissible.

·  Clothing and tools that are made from animal skin (except swine and dog) and have been cleansed according to Halal law are permissible.

·  Clothing and equipment derived from plant materials are permitted

·  The only materials that can be used for clothing are animal fur, except for pig and dog fur.

·  Clothing made from bones, horns, claws and teeth of animals slaughtered according to halal principles is permitted.

·  Clothing and tools made from animal skins (except pig and dog skins) and washed according to Halal requirements are also permitted.