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)