A helpful initiative<\/p>\n
A unique scandal rocked this nation in 1988. Several local
\nfood products were said to contain pork fat. The rumors, which
\nwere triggered by an academic's findings in East Java, caused
\nserious disquiet among the majority of Moslems and hit many food
\nproducers hard. This is understandable because the food products
\nwhich were said to contain pork ranged from biscuits, milk and
\ninstant noodles to soy sauce. The public calmed down only after
\nthe Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) ruled that products which the
\ngovernment had declared halal (edible according to Islamic law)
\nshould be considered so pending further investigation).<\/p>\n
After the uproar many people thought a halal label for all
\nfood products was needed in order to prevent Moslems from
\ninadvertently buying and consuming food that was forbidden under
\nIslamic law. Such food does not only consist of pork but also
\nincludes carcasses, blood and the meat of animals slaughtered in
\nthe name of any deity other than Allah.<\/p>\n
Simple as it may seem, providing the halal label is no easy
\njob because food is produced not only by factories but also by
\nrestaurants and street vendors and all consumers deserve
\nprotection. MUI thus urged the government and the House of
\nRepresentatives to pass a new law on food and beverages to
\nreplace the old one, which is no longer considered adequate. MUI
\nalso called for strict supervision of food products, not only in
\nfactories, but also in hotels, on planes and on ships. MUI also
\nappealed to businesses engaged in food processing and marketing,
\nespecially those owned by Moslem business people, to supply halal
\nfoods and beverages.<\/p>\n
The government was entirely responsive in the matter. In 1992
\na decree was issued by President Soeharto, requiring all
\nmanufacturers of food products, beverages and cosmetics to put
\nthe halal label on their products' packages. This label was
\nsubsequently provided after the green light was received from the
\ngovernment's Directorate General for Food and Medicine
\nSupervision. However, that agency does not seem to be big enough
\nto carry out the supervision of food products in hotels and
\nrestaurants, not to speak of on ships and at roadside food
\nstalls.<\/p>\n
Realizing the difficulty of the situation, MUI's institute
\nfor the assessment of food, medicine and cosmetics this week
\nissued its own halal certificates for various food products as
\nwell as for certain restaurants. It also introduced what it calls
\nan \"internal halal auditing program\" in which auditors undergo
\nin-house training at production facilities. They are responsible
\nfor reminding producers and restaurants to remain consistent in
\nabiding by the halal conditions.<\/p>\n
Although it lacks a legal basis, MUI's initiative should be
\nviewed as an act of moral responsibility. It is indeed a positive
\nmeasure, considering the government's limited ability to control
\nall food products, especially in restaurants and food stalls. It
\nwill hopefully give Moslems the desired peace of mind because,
\nunlike in Malaysia, for instance, most restaurants here which
\nsell food which is forbidden for Moslems do not take the trouble
\nto inform their Moslem customers of the fact.<\/p>\n
The step taken by MUI will surely benefit restaurant owners,
\nbecause even those which have issued their own halal labels may
\nnot really know what the halal designation actually involves. The
\nMUI label will also protect true halal restaurants from unhealthy
\ncompetition, with one dining establishment accusing another of
\nselling food that is not halal under a self-made halal label.<\/p>\n
It is hoped that MUI's action will spur the government to take
\na more active role in issuing halal certificates, which would be
\nmost helpful because the government has experts available and can
\nmore easily reach all corners of the country. And last but
\ncertainly not least it may be worth noting that the issuance of
\nthe halal certificates will in no way affect or inconvenience
\nnon-Moslems.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-helpful-initiative-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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