Mandatory Halal Certification Takes Effect on Sunday, Prompting Greater Consumer Awareness

JAKARTA – Some consumers say they were unaware of the October mandatory halal policy, which comes into force on Sunday (18 October 2026). Their views differ on how to respond to products without a halal label, ranging from plans to check more carefully to choosing not to buy them.

Muhammad Sudrajat, a private-sector employee, said he had only learnt about the policy when approached by Republika. Until now, he has not always checked halal labels when buying food or everyday products.

He said his approach depends on the type of product. For food that he regularly eats with his family, he tends not to check in detail. For new products, however, he said he needs to find out more about their halal status.

“If it is something I am eating for the first time, its halal status needs to be checked more carefully. If I had known about a policy like this, perhaps I would be more diligent. It would be a shame if my wife and child were affected because we did not pay attention to the food we consume,” Sudrajat said.

He believes the October mandatory halal policy could make the public more conscious of the products they buy. Consumers, he said, would become more careful in choosing food for their families.

However, Sudrajat said the policy could also mean consumers need more time to check products.

“The good thing is that we become more aware and concerned about the goods we buy. We learn which ones are suitable to consume and which are not. But the downside is that it could be a bit cumbersome, because we may need extra time to check products we usually consume every day,” he said.