Inspecting Markets, Babe Haikal Affirms Non-Halal Products May Be Sold Provided...

The Head of the Halal Product Assurance Organising Agency (BPJPH), Ahmad Haikal Hasan, stated that non-halal products may be sold provided they are handled in accordance with regulations, including displaying non-halal labelling. He made this statement during his inspection at the Gandaria City shopping centre in South Jakarta on Tuesday (21/4/2026). Babe Haikal said that a shop does not mean it cannot sell pork, and urged the public not to overreact and to understand this matter properly. He gave the example that Lotte Mart is a halal supermarket but sells frozen pork. He emphasised that in the area where frozen pork is placed, there is no chicken or beef. For these non-halal foods, there is a special entry point, with a separate receiving area, meaning the loading in and loading out are separated between non-halal and halal items. “This (market inspection) is part of our routine; we conduct check and recheck on markets. Last Sunday, we did it at Kramat Jati market, and now we are entering the mall. Coincidentally, we are here, entering Gandaria Mall, and at Gandaria, we visited Lotte,” said Babe Haikal to Republika.co.id. He stressed that Lotte has actually been halal-certified as a store since last year, and obtaining halal certification does not mean it is finished; BPJPH continues to carry out inspections.