Food producers told to affix `halal' label

Food producers told to affix `halal' label

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) yesterday
appealed to all food, beverage and drug manufacturers to have
their products labeled halal (permitted in Islam), to reassure
their Moslem consumers.

MUI Chairman Hasan Basri told reporters yesterday that by
having their products certified by the council, manufacturers
will dispel any lingering doubts Moslems have about buying and
consuming their products.

Manufacturers too will be more immune to false allegations
that their products use pork shortening and other substances
which are forbidden in Islam, he said.

Such allegations in the past caused panic among Indonesian
consumers and led to tumbling sales of favorite snacks and food
items such as instant noodles and even powdered milk.

Hasan was speaking after opening the International Halal Food
and Technology (Inhafex) 1994 exhibition which brings food,
beverage and drug producers together to display their products.

The exhibition at the Kemayoran Jakarta fairground will last
until Sunday. It involves 55 local companies and six foreign
firms from Iran, India, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and
Taiwan.

Hasan stressed that halal labeling will also boost the chances
of selling the products in countries with a predominantly Moslem
population.

MUI has established a team which is empowered to test and
certify halal foods, beverages and drugs sent to them.

The council has already certified 19 products from the giant
Indofood company, 39 products from Unilever and one from Siantar
Top.

Hasan disclosed that the council will also be visiting a
number of fast food chains and testing their products before
issuing halal certificates.

The cost of testing and certifying ranges between Rp 200,000
and Rp 1 million. The council works in cooperation with the
Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the
Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Industry. (emb)