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UAE: World’s 1st Halal Certified Sugar from India

salama — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:58:53 +0000

Warana Sugar Gulf Trading Unveils World’s 1st Halal Certified Sugar from India

Dubai, UAE – 9^th February 2012 : Warana Sugar Gulf Trading LLC, part of Warana Sugar (India), today unveiled the world’s 1st halal certified sugar from India in an exclusive media launch held at the Al Maeshah Ballroom, Grand Hyatt in Dubai. The company also announced plans to penetrate the GCC market this year, immediately after launching in the UAE.

Kazi Mufti Mohamed Kifayathullah Baqavi, a recognized government body in India, issued a 2 year-halal certificate to Warana Sugar valid from 20th November in 2011 which confirms that Warana sugar is lawful and permitted for human consumption and fit for Muslim community. The official document states that the “high tech processing machineries at the company’s manufacturing plant contains no Haram (Islamically forbidden) ingredients and other elements of impurities, harmfulness, alcohol, intoxicate materials, chemical substances and materials whole or part which are or have been derived from terrestrial and marine animals, pork, lard and by products, birds origin, skins, hair, blood, insects, fresh water or any other ingredients produced from genetically modified or engineered organism obtained through biotechnology”.

Chief guest at the launch was Mr Vinay Kore, Chairman of Warana Group of Industries (India), who flew in to Dubai especially to attend the event. He was joined by two other top executives Mr V.S. Chavan, Managing Director of Warana Sugar (India) and Mr Sanjay Vaidya, Director of Warana Sugar (India).

Mr Rajesh Vangani, CEO/Director of Warana Gulf Trading LLC, said, “Warana Gulf Trading is pleased to be part of Warana Sugar (India), second largest Sugar manufacturer in India and known for its long standing history as a key player in India’s thriving sugar industry. After launching Warana sugar in the UAE, we plan to penetrate Saudi and Oman before Ramadan and the rest of the GCC before the end of the year.”

Warana Gulf Trading LLC is the representative office of Warana Sugar (India) in the Middle East and will be overseeing the marketing activities of Warana’s products across the region.

In the Middle East, there is currently a shortage in capacity of about 3 Million MT of sugar while the EU’s consumption requirement is forecasted at about 2.0 Million MT in the next 2-3 years. Industry estimates published in 2009 revealed that the UAE’s sugar consumption is at nearly 140,000 tonnes per year, calculated based on the annual per capita sugar consumption of 34 kilograms per year, which is higher than the world average of 24 kilograms. The region’s annual sugar consumption is at 12 million tonnes, of which 8.5 million are imported.

USDA May 2011 report cites there is a current surplus in the world’s sugar supply market which is predicted to shift to a shortage of sugar in the next 2-3 years due to strong demand coming from emerging markets. India, being the second largest sugar producer in the world, next to Brazil, is also a large consumer. In fact, the large amount of sugar that India produces as a net exporter, when offset by domestic consumption, makes the country a net importer of sugar.

“UAE’s strategic location gives it the advantage to cater to the export markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. We are currently finalizing our partnerships with key retailers in the UAE and as soon as we establish our presence in the region, we will focus on our expansion in CIS countries and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania,” added Mr Vangani.

Warana sugar products will be available at all leading supermarkets, hypermarkets and retail outlets across the UAE by end of February 2012.

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Malaysia: Pet food to be featured for the first time at halal products exhibition

salama — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:13:24 +0000

KUALA LUMPUR: Pet food will be featured for the first time in this year’s edition of the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas), which aims to promote the global halal industry.

The exhibition is part of Malaysia Halal Week 2012, jointly organised by the Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) and KasehDia Sdn Bhd.

Matrade chief executive officer Dr Wong Lai Sum said halal pet food was being introduced at Mihas as there are animals that lived in close quarters with their owners.

“Some pets even sleep with their owners. So, it is important for them to be given halal food,” she said at the Matrade office here yesterday.

Mihas, to be held from April 4 to April 7, will also showcase pharmaceutical products, Islamic finance and tourism packages.

“We hope the event will benefit Malaysian companies, especially the small and medium-sized enterprises,” Dr Wong said.

She said that over 50 countries would be taking part in the Malaysia Halal Week 2012.

Besides Mihas, the event also includes the World Halal Research Summit (WHRS) and the 7th World Halal Forum (WHF) 2012.

“Countries joining the event for the first time include Tunisia, Poland and Belgium.

“We are expecting about RM500mil in sales through the event,” Dr Wong said.

HDC operations division vice president Mohd Raimee Mohd Tamin said some 1,000 participants were expected to share ideas during the two-day WHRS beginning on April 4.

The summit will see scientists, researchers and scholars exchanging ideas on new research findings in the global halal industry.

WHF founding director Jumaatun Azmi said the forum, to be held from April 2 to April 3, would discuss the social media and entertainment based on Islam, among others.

Halal Accreditation will Introduce Pakistani Products around the Globe

salama — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:27:42 +0000

The Role of Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC), in this regard is commendable which will help in the growth of Halal Exports: Zubair Mughal

07/02/2012

(Lahore) The step of introducing Halal Accreditation Scheme by Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC), Federal Ministry for Science and Technology is commendable as it will help to introduce Pakistani Halal products globally, increasing exports, as well. These words were expressed by Mr. Muhammad Zubair Mughal, Chief Executive Officer – Halal Research Council in a seminar on the topic of Halal in Lahore. He said that due to non availability of Halal accreditation in Pakistan, Pakistan’s Halal Certification Agencies were facing many difficulties at national and international level. He said that despite this fact that Pakistan is facing different international propagandas, there is a positive side that Pakistan’s Religious prestige and authenticity is endorsed and highly recognized all around the world and international communities gives vital importance to products certified & Exported by Pakistan along with the Halal label.

He said that this accreditation will not only help Pakistan to increase the exports of Halal food, meat, dairy products, chemical beverages and spices but also would help to promote the non food products like Halal Cosmetics, Chemicals, gelatin, pharmaceuticals and Halal Tourism. He further added that Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority have issued two standards, PS: 4992–2010 and PS: 3733–2010 in which PS: 3733-2010 relates to management and procedure of Halal food for Halal Food industry whereas PS: 4992-2010 is related to general procedure of Halal Certification Institutions.

He said that Halal Research Council is a registered institute under Joint Stock Company Act, 1860 which primarily works for Halal Certifications, Research & Education, Training, Advisory and Consultancy whereas its strategic partners are providing the services of Halal certification in Malaysia, Italy, UK, Philippine and Mauritius.

Malaysia: Traders to be required to disclose Halal status of leather products!

salama — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:29:35 +0000

KUALA LUMPUR: The Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry is drawing up a regulation to make it compulsory for traders to disclose the halal status of leather goods.

Its secretary-general Datuk Saripuddin Kasim said this was to enable them to display separately, leather items such as bags, shoes and clothing that are made from non-halal material.

“At the moment there are no laws that enable the ministry to enforce this. We only advise the traders to do so,” he said.

Saripuddin said the draft of the regulation was being prepared by experts from the Chemistry Department, Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) and state Islamic religious councils, It is expected to be completed in a few months.

At the moment, the enforcement of halal certification is covered under the Trade Description Act, but it does not cover making it compulsory to disclose the halal status of leather goods.

Saripuddin also said the ministry has appointed 62 Jakim officers as trade description comptrollers to enforce the Trade Description Act.

“This is to ensure there will not be any abuse of the halal certificate,” he said.

Malaysia: JAKIM To Introduce Halal Standard For Leather, Wool, Bone Products

salama — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 15:13:34 +0000

By Salawaty Supardi

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 4 (Bernama) — The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) in collaboration with Department of Standards Malaysia, will draw up a halal standard for leather, wool and bone products.

Its principal assistant director, halal hub division, Hakimah Mohd Yusoff said the standard would serve as a guideline in providing the halal certification for these products to safeguard the sensitivities among Muslim consumers.

“When we talk about halal certifications, many think only of food or beverages; but the items we wear everyday may not be halal.

“That is why it’s important to have a halal standard for these items,” she told Bernama.

She said the preparation for the halal standard began last year and expected to be completed this year and take effect next year.

Hakimah said that at the moment, there were no specific regulations on the need to segregate leather, wool or bone products according to whether they are halal or not.

Some premises owners however, had taken initiatives to do so, she said. Meanwhile, Hakimah said up until December last year, 366 hotels nationwide had obtained their halal certifications from JAKIM.

Hotel and food premises operators are encouraged to obtain the halal certificate and logo from JAKIM and state Islamic religious council to enhance confidence among consumers in their products and services.

– BERNAMA

Canada: Halal meat carving out niche market in growing Muslim community

salama — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:43:41 +0000

Some like their meat rare, while others insist on organic free-range fare. But a different category of meat is gracing restaurant menus and filling grocery store shelves in Nova Scotia.

As the Muslim community across the province grows, the number of businesses from butchers to restaurants selling halal meat has grown in lockstep.

It’s a budding trend turning into big bucks for businesses offering beef, goat, lamb and chicken slaughtered according to Islamic religion.

Taiba Halal Grocery, a small shop “run by Muslims for Muslims,” opened in Halifax three years ago selling meat allowed under Muslim law and other specialty foods.

“We became frustrated with the quality of halal meat available here,” co-owner Khalil Alshanti said Thursday. “We opened up the grocery store as a service to the Muslim community and over time we’ve also served some non-Muslims, too.”

Alshanti and his business partner, Ahmad Alhamoui, buy the meat for their grocery store at farms in Upper Rawdon and Bridgewater.

“We go down there and slaughter the animals,” he said. “The main thing is you don’t want the animal to experience any shock or trauma before it’s killed. The animal shouldn’t see blade before it’s slaughtered with the single swipe of a blade.”

With Nova Scotia’s growing Muslim community, now estimated to be close to 20,000, as well as an influx of university students hailing from the Middle East, Alshanti said competition has grown over time.

In the capital region, Bailey’s Meat Market in Bedford, House of Halal Groceries in Halifax and Mid-East Food Centre & Cafe in the north-end Halifax offer halal meet.

In Sydney, Lebanese Flower opened last September.

“My family only eats halal meat and we knew a lot of Muslims in Cape Breton would like a restaurant that served halal meat,” said Ray Kassem, whose family owns and operates the restaurant. “We’ve also had a lot of support from the local non-Muslim community who really love the food, too.”

Halal has many meanings in Arabic but generally means “what is permissible” in the Islamic religion. Things that are not halal include pork and gambling, for instance.

Mike Oulton had never heard of halal meat when he started farming in Martock many years ago. But now it’s an integral part of his farming operation and the Mike Oulton Meat Shop.

Long-time employee Terry Patterson said serving the ethnic community is a very strong part of the business and continues to grow each year.

“There is a Muslim who comes by every Tuesday and blesses the animals and slaughters them,” he said. “We have a number of Muslims that come here to pick up the meat and we also do deliveries to homes, restaurants and stores.”

(bbundale@herald.ca)

Indonesia: MUI Criticizes NU’s Plan to Draft Halal Certification

salama — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:22:52 +0000

Thursday, 02 February, 2012 | 13:54 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) has criticized Nahdlatul Ulama’s (NU) plan to draft halal and honesty certifications for its members.

Lukmanul Hakim, MUI’s food, drug and cosmetics study agency’s (LPPOM MUI) director, said it was unnecessary for NU to issue its own certifications because the LPPOM’s halal certificate was transparent and practical. However, he said, the certificate arrangement was subject to fees because the office is not subsidized by the government.

NU Businessmen’s Association (HPN) chairman, Abdul Kholik, questioned the ban. He said the NU’s certification plan aimed to protect its members under stricter NU references for determining whether a product is halal.

“It’s true the MUI is the head of all Islamic organizations, including NU, but we don’t feel that we’re represented by its halal certificate,” said Abdul.

MUI Secretary General Muhammad Alkhathath said that in the certification process, an audit must be conducted by an expert to check whether a product was halal. “In principle, it’s like the food and drug monitoring agency,” he said.

AFRILIA SURYANIS / FATKHURROHMAN TAUFIQ

UK: European Halal Food Park is now open for Business!

salama — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:25:00 +0000

The European Halal Food Park is first of its kind and will be seen as the gateway to the Halal market

IGM and NPD Services have been working for over two years on the European Halal Food Park, the park is in its final stages of construction and ready to open its EU Licensed Factory for SME’s to come on board, the venture can expect to have a turnover of 15 million plus in the first year and has a number of committed partners and can be expected to be in full operation within the next six months.

The site in Banham was strategically sort out due to its ideal location situated less than 90 minutes from central London and has access to two of the largest European Muslim communities in Europe. The French market which has population of over 7million, and the UK market of approx. 4 million Muslims.

With the present climate of recession and unsuraties, this pilot project will allow the European Halal Food Park to open further halal food hubs in the other regions of the UK and the Norfolk plant will act as the central distribution hub. The jobs created will benefit all sections of the community; the European Halal Food Park will be strategically placed for other halal food companies to come on board.

Mr Ghulam Ghafoor Managing Director of Pak Supermarkets, Pak supermarkets Britain’s first main stream chain of halal supermarkets here in UK said: “we have been waiting for such a project, where we can purchase all our UK assured halal products manufactured in the UK, I for one am in favour of halal product which are with complete Shariah compliance ”

The first stage of the project has already been completed and is already operational, boasting a fully approved Halal Abattoir & Cutting Plant operated by Simply Halal which is 100% dedicated to supplying Non-Stun Halal Beef, Lamb & Mutton. NPD Services are working together with EEDA (East Anglia Development Agency) which will include, a central retail packing unit and a further processing unit focussed on manufacturing added value halal food products. The site already has a 300 pallet cold store and blast freezers which makes it ideal for Frozen food operations.

Mohammed Saleem, Policy Director for ANSA Said: ‘He supports any scheme that benefits the Muslim community and the halal slaughter houses here in the UK by providing the Muslim community with assured 100% Non-Stun halal meat’.

For more information on the European Halal Food Park, please contact William Innes on 07786 993766 or email info@halalfoodpark.co.uk.

Pakistan: Government launches Halal Food Accredititation scheme

salama — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:42:16 +0000

OnePakistan

Islamabad : The government has launched the first-ever Halal Food Accreditation scheme, and the move will be followed by the establishment of a Halal Board, which could bolster the country’s export.

Addressing the launching ceremony of Halal Food Accreditation scheme here Tuesday, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Mir Changez Khan Jamali said that Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC) has achieved a milestone by launching Halal Food Accreditation and the political government fulfilled its promise to open the scheme.

He also said that the Ministry of Science and Technology will set up a Halal Board for Halal Food Accreditation and until its establishment, the cost of certification will be subsidized by 50 per cent. And added that Halal Board will provide policy guidelines to PNAC and PSQCA, and that the plan for this Board is to have representation from the private sector and Ulema, along with representation of government functionaries.

He went on to say that the $ 2.77 trillion estimated global value of Halal market is fast growing further with more consumer awareness not only in food sector but also in non-food products, like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, healthcare, toiletries and other non-consumables. Pakistan having rich potential in livestock, dairy and poultry sector has the capability to capture this new market of Halal Food, the minister added.

Federal Secretary Science and Tecnology Akhlaq Ahmed Tarar said that Pakistan, being an Islamic country, needs to benefit from this opportunity. Once a recognized Halal certified goods/services chain starts, it will help local sales and exports.

On this occasion the Director General(DG)PNAC Anjum Bashir said that PNAC, being an apex body, has a mandate to accredit conformity in Assessment Bodies like Laboratories, Certification/Inspection Bodies as per the international requirements under the WTO regime. It has achieved a milestone of Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) with International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) & Asia
Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC). It also gives PNAC equivalent status, to other reputed accreditation bodies of North America, Europe & Far East Countries.

He said that the importance of Medical Labs Accreditation was increasing every day in this era of technological advancements and competition in the healthcare service sector. PNAC has taken in-time initiative to improve the Health care Sector by launching Medical Labs Accreditation Scheme.

It is pertinent to mention here that Sectoral committee had already given its go ahead been pre-requisite to launch the Halal Food accreditation scheme.

Indonesia: PBNU Drafts Halal references

salama — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:49:07 +0000

TEMPO Interactive, SURABAYA: The leaders of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) are working on drafting halal standards. As such, all production distributed among NU members must be approved by the Nahdlatul Ulama Businessmen’s Association (HPN). The special standard is part of the recommendation produced during the ‘Rembug Saudagar NU and NU Expo 2012′ that was held in Surabaya from January 26 – 29.

“This is important because 70 percent of Muslims in Indonesia are NU members. We have an interest to keeping the products used and consumed by NU members halal and ensuring they are manufactured honestly,” said HPN chairman Abdul Kholik.

Besides maintaining product quality, NU says the the halal label aims to increase the bargaining power of Nahdliyin and its share of the market.

Committee head of NU Expo 2012, Anang Prabowo, said the expo was attended by 25,000 visitors. “The expo this year was more successful than last year,” he said.

FATKHURROHMAN TAUFIQ