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.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Ms. Cynthia Luna-Harb
Mobile: +971 50 228 5363
Email: cynthia@citroncommunications.com

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Krispy Kreme, though there is no change to their product, has recently had 16 doughnut varieties certified by the Halal Food Authority.

UK product development manager Lucy Allard commented,

“Although our doughnuts have always been suitable for a Halal diet, we know the certification means a lot to many of our ­customers.”

A campaign to advertise their new gimmick will be launched with on-counter displays of the HFA logo.

Why are Krispy Kreme doughnuts acceptable to Muslims?

There was some controversy a while back as to whether or not their doughnut glaze contained alcohol.  Krispy Kreme responded:

“Krispy Kreme doughnuts do not contain alcohol products manufactured to be consumed as a beverage, such as liquors, wine and beer. The glaze on Krispy Kreme Original Glazed Doughnuts contains a specially produced flavouring that is made and approved for use according to strict FDA guidelines. This flavouring contains a small amount of ethyl alcohol, a common ingredient that, incidentally, is also naturally present in just about all fresh fruits and vegetables. The flavouring for Krispy Kreme’s glaze contains less than 2 percent ethyl alcohol, an essential ingredient for many flavourings commonly used in commercial food production. By contrast, vanilla flavouring, an ingredient widely used in many foods, such as ice cream, cakes, cookies, even animal crackers for children, contains 35 percent ethyl alcohol. It is important to note, however, that when the flavouring is mixed into the glaze recipe, it becomes less than 1 percent of the total composition, and, therefore, the ethyl alcohol content drops to less than 0.02 percent. During the cooking of the glaze, virtually all, if not all, of the ethyl alcohol is lost through evaporation.” (Source)

United States

Brian K. Little, Director of Corporate Communications at Krispy Kreme, makes it clear that their shops in the U.S. do not carry products that are Halal certified.

Krispy Kreme also claims that all of their doughnuts are Kosher as well.

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By KATHERINA MARIE
educate@thestar.com.my

STEAMED with chilli and garlic, the tilapia fish makes for a delicious meal, but a Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) researcher has discovered that the spiny-finned freshwater fish is a rich source of collagen.

The discovery offers consumers a halal alternative for the important protein, which is traditionally obtained from pigs and cows.

The collagen was discovered by UPM Faculty of Food and Science Technology lecturer and researcher Prof Dr Jamilah Bakar.

She then introduced it to biotech company Bionic Lifesciences, which included the ingredient in its bird’s nest product.

The improved final product was displayed at the Biomalaysia 2011 Conference and Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur recently. Bionic Lifesciences director Prof Mohd Saleh Yahya and UPM deputy vice-chancellor (Research and Innovation) Prof Mohd Saleh Jaafar signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to seal the collaboration between the company and varsity to commercialise the product.

Prof Mohd Saleh said UPM’s objective for the collaboration is to enhance research and development for the biotechnological processes.

“This collaboration will help to provide technical assistance and knowledge and will be beneficial for UPM students to further their research on collagen,” he said.

Prof Jamilah shared that she had spent 12 years on the research.

“I actually started my research with gelatine which is used in almost all the food products and from there, I discovered that gelatine is obtained from collagen by hydrolysis,” she said.

“Collagen is used widely in the food industry as a food supplement in capsule, beverage and tablet forms.

Students and visitors looking at the raw collagen sample and the range of products it could be used for at the signing ceremony.

“Society is starting to realise the importance of collagen in maintaining skin health, improving immunity, activating muscles and treating joint pain,” she said.

She added that prior to this, collagen had to be imported from China and Korea as there was no local source.

“We are the first in the region to produce halal aquatic collagen.

“The cosmetics industry can use it for its anti-ageing properties and include it into facemasks, hair products, nail products, creams and even directly into beverages because it is halal,” she added.

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Bandar Seri Begawan – An expert in Halal cosmetics Science and technology from Japan has said that Brunei has the potential to develop its own Halal cosmetics industry.

Mr Tenji Takahashi, Deputy General Manager for Research and Development at Reinhalt Corporation, Japan said Brunei is an ideal place for such an endeavour in Halal cosmetics as the nation makes it a national project to certify and thus guarantee that certain products are indeed Halal. It is accepted not only by Bruneians but also Muslims from other countries, he added.

Mr Takahashi stated this while presenting his working paper entitled “Halal Cosmetics: An Expert’s View and Recommendations for the Brunei’s Initiatives” in a seminar held at the Radisson Hotel in the capital. The half-day seminar was organised by the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources through the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood.

He said Brunei’s location is superior with the presence of a large Muslim market all over the world and is in an advantageous position to implement the Halal guidelines prepared and approved by the domestic law.

The deputy general manager added that the Brunei Halal Brand, along with high technology and quality from Japan, could be used to produce innovative and science-based cosmetics preferred by Muslims. As for the procurement of the variety of Halal-certified ingredients, Mr Takahashi proposed to make a non-disclosure agreement, create a system of licensing and reduce the financial burden for the supplier.

He also highlighted the principles of Halal cosmetics in Brunei, namely the production of Halal cosmetics for all Muslims without prioritising productivity or profit. Manufacturers must also show the highest product performance in terms of providing information on Halal-certified ingredients, and on the manufacturing and transportation processes, so as to ensure that the product is not detrimental to Muslims.

The seminar was aimed at increasing knowledge and awareness on advancements in Halal science and technology in the cosmetics industry and at applying these advancements to the development of the Halal cosmetics industry in the Sultanate. It was also hoped that it would promote awareness on the latest developments in the manufacturing and handling of cosmetics and the sharing of information and experience in the field of Halal science and technology.

Present as guest of honour at the seminar was Hjh Normah Suria Hayati binti Pehin Jawatan Dalam Seri Maharaja Dato Seri Utama (Dr) Hj Awg Mohd Jamil Al-Sufri, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources.

Mr Takahashi also discussed how modern science-based cosmetics could be deemed non-Halal for Muslims, as would be the case with cosmetics products that contain animal collagen (protein).

The Halal cosmetics business has to overcome many obstacles, he said. Information on product labels are not enough and, in some cases, usually the required information relevant to the “Halalness” of the product is not inscribed on the product label, even though it is eventually found not to contain any ethanol, pig placenta extract or animal collagen.

In most cases, the origins of raw materials are not indicated, Mr Takahashi added. Collagen could come from fish or plant extract, for instance, and ethanol could have been used to extract the ingredient of aloe. Ethanol might also have been used as the preservative of the extract.

Southeast Asian nations are promoting industrialisation in a way that it focuses on product manufacturing, thereby resulting in economic development in recent years, said Mr Takahashi.

In Asean, the purchasing capacity is also getting higher and many companies are interested in entering the booming Islamic market. However the issue is that they are not knowledgeable in the field, nor are they familiar with the Halal regulations, he added.

Also present at the seminar were Dyg Hjh Hasnah binti Ibrahim, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources and senior government officers from the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Ministry of Religious Affairs, and other government agencies.

–Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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Preserving our Children’s Imaan

A few years back, if someone was asked to name a Halal confectionery brand, they would be lost for words; namely because there was no such thing as a Halal confectionery manufacturer, not in the UK at least.

In contrast, what we find today is a Halal UK confectionery market which has been inundated with many companies offering a diverse range of confectionery, ranging from Jelly sweets to Marshmallows to Chews and Bubblegum, Candy Floss and the list continues.

Although the initial influx of entrepreneurship from several Muslim-backed or owned companies gave rise to the increased trend for Halal confectionary sales, it has inevitably been due to the large corporate confectionery manufacturers, that we have seen this surge in the Halal confectionery consumer market.

According to KasehDia Research & Consultancy’s European Halal Food Sector Report, the Halal industry was worth approximately £41 billion in 2009; and with forecasts for the Muslim population in Europe to double within the next 20 years to the region of 100 million, there lies a very lucrative market with huge opportunities for those willing to invest their time and money, and investigate into the intricate nature of the Halal industry.

While the Halal confectionery market remains one of the more promising sectors of the Halal industry, it has in recent times been faced with a series of culpable issues, such as those relating to Halal certification and their respective bodies, uncertainties concerning the use of ingredients such as Gelatine, Alcohol, Colourings and Flavourings, and last but not least, the production process which the confectionery ultimately goes through before being packaged and marketed for the target Muslim audience.

Gradually information has become more readily available to consumers, firstly from a Shariah point of view from within the Muslim Community itself and secondly from the wider legislative requirements necessitating the provision of certain dietary, health and safety information.  As such Muslim consumers have an increased awareness which has resulted, to some extent, in apprehension in regards to whether what they are eating is actually Halal.

Muslim consumers will derive benefit from this, as Halal confectionery manufacturers along with their counterparts in the Halal industry have taken a keen and willing approach into looking at the many different issues that have arisen and those that may emanate.  The main areas of concern are gelatine, food additives, colouring and alcohol, and the manufacturing process that the confectionery goes through.   An additional vital factor, which concerns all three points mentioned, is related to the Halal certification and the Organisation(s) providing the relevant checks and ascertaining that the products are fit for consumption for Muslims as per Islamic Shariah requirements.

Taking a closer look at some of these important issues will give an appreciation of the complexities and challenges faced by the Halal confectionery industry, as well as the need for an authentic, reliable and competent Halal authentication system.

Recently there has been a fair amount of controversy concerning the gelatine used in the manufacturing of Halal jelly sweets.  There are several countries where Halal gelatine is manufactured, some of which are Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand.  Halal gelatine is manufactured using the skin and bones of animals that are slaughtered according to Shariah (Islamic Law).

The problem that has arisen is that several of the abattoirs that were visited by Muslim inspectors in various countries, did not meet the Shariah requirements when it came to slaughtering the animal.

Along with this, there were issues of contamination as well as mixing of skin and bones from Swine and non-halal animals.  This puts a considerable element of doubt on whether the gelatine that is produced using the residue of these animals is Halal.  This problem was widely highlighted in Brazil where a very large portion of the gelatine is produced and then sourced for Halal jelly sweets manufactured for the European market including the UK. 

On the contrary, there are places such as Pakistan where the controls and checks regarding the slaughtering of animals and manufacturing of gelatine were better enacted.  Clearly this was due to Pakistan being a Muslim country and certain governmental regulations stipulating the use of Shariah compliant methods.

One may ask why companies are obtaining gelatine from the likes of Argentina or Brazil, when the gelatine from say Pakistan is more reliable for the Muslim consumer.  Well, it boils down to several factors; firstly confectionery companies and manufacturing plants are too complacent with the Halal assurance provided by way of certifications by the gelatine manufacturers.  Secondly, due to the lack of Islamic knowledge relating to the food industry as a whole, many important issues are overlooked or neglected, by all parties involved in the manufacturing of the confectionery.  Finally, the price of gelatine plays a large part in all of this, being cheaper and more readily available from somewhere like Brazil as opposed to Pakistan; it allows companies to price their confectionery competitively and ultimately generate more profit.  In spite of this, it is encouraging to see some Halal confectionery manufacturers having a genuine concern for the Muslim consumers at large and using Pakistani gelatine for the manufacturing of Halal jelly sweets.

Food additives and colouring is another area where consumers and sweet manufacturers need to be cautious.  Many of these additives and colours contain animal or insect based ingredients which render the confectionery unlawful for Muslim consumers.  We need to bear in mind that there is always an alternative vegetarian source for such ingredients.  Furthermore some of these additives have health and dietary issues that have legislative restrictions on their use in food products that are being sold in the UK, which otherwise may be suitable to use in other countries.  Often such ingredients will be masked by E numbers, thus leaving consumers unaware as to what is actually contained within.  Fortunately the trend is changing towards labelling ingredients with their official name.

Unknown to most consumers, alcohol or alcohol-based derivatives are also used in some of the ingredients (flavouring) or processes when manufacturing confectionery.  Although there is scope for permissibility for the use of synthetic alcohols, this is an area which needs to be checked and authenticated by qualified Scholars on behalf of Halal confectionery manufacturers.

Finally another area of concern is the actual manufacturing process, the equipment utilised and individuals responsible for the production of the confectionery.  In spite of everything else being checked and approved as being 100% Halal, this is the stage where the Halal Confectionery manufacturing process is least monitored, and if the appropriate inspections are not put in place, then there is a great risk of contamination taking place.

Contamination can take place in several ways, for example, when Halal and non-Halal confectionery is produced in the same factory, but the necessary precautions are not taken when cleaning the production equipment; when non-Halal substitutes are used instead of Halal ingredients, either inadvertently or maliciously by those involved in the production run.  Furthermore, after the confectionery has been produced, there is also a possibility of contamination during the packaging process from equipment which is used to fill the confectionery into bags and tubs etc.

Having highlighted some of these fundamental concerns of the Halal confectionery industry, it becomes evident that there is much effort and co-operation required from all parties involved, to assure that Muslim consumers are offered confectionery which is satisfactory to their Halal dietary requirements.

Within the UK there are several Halal certifying bodies with their respective requirements for Halal classification.  These organisations need to take a pragmatic approach towards attaining a balanced and conclusive certification system which can be relied upon by Muslim consumers, Halal food suppliers and manufacturers, and those involved with abattoirs right down to the farming process.

Due to the broad disparities between some of these Halal certifying bodies, naturally there is much confusion amongst the Muslims themselves, let alone the non-Muslim organisations and individuals who are involved in the Halal confectionery industry.  This results in uncertainty regarding what is permissible or impermissible, which ultimately leads to complacency in meeting the appropriate Shariah requirements.

Another point of contention is the Halal logo which is used widely by various confectionery and food manufacturers.  Due to a lack of standards by which to gauge Halal requirements, the Halal logo has been misused for far too long.  It is about time that the Halal certifying bodies agreed on a standard set of requirements which meet the dietary requirements of Muslim consumers, and along with this, liaise with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to approve one authentic Halal logo.  Thus manufacturers and consumers alike can, with certainty, view the logo as an independent verification of quality and integrity.

For the sceptics of such a proposal, we only need to point out the Kosher certification and logo system that is in effect within the UK.  The Jewish community has enjoyed the benefits of the Kosher logo for many years, even though they have a more stringent authentication process to meet Kosher requirements.

By utilising the correct channels, Halal certification bodies along with the relevant Muslim organisations, need to inform the Muslim consumers of the need to consume proper Halal food and confectionery, to be vigilant in doing so, and the detriment caused by unlawful consumption.  At the same time, the likes of Abattoir personnel, factory operatives, those dealing with the ingredients side of things, distributors and sellers, all need to be educated with the required level of knowledge to fulfil their role in providing the consumer with authentic and reliable Halal confectionery to meet their dietary needs.

It is imperative for the manufacturers to be extremely careful in producing Halal sweets through rigorous checks and the intentions to be clear in benefiting the Muslim community. We as a Muslim community should not allow our desires or our profits to take precedence over the requirement to produce and consume genuine Halal.

Finally, all Brothers and Sisters are urged to educate themselves, their families, friends and colleagues, on this very important issue.  Being complacent when it comes to ensuring the food we are consuming is completely Halal, has risks, which inevitably will affect our spiritual and physical state, and be detrimental for us in this world and the hereafter.

May Allah guide us All and Eid Mubarak.

From A Concerned Muslim

halal.awareness@yahoo.co.uk

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According to reports within the newly published The International Halal SME Report Directory 2011/12, Halal entrepreneurs need to be hard working, technology savvy and have strong business alliances, just like any other businesses within any other industries.

“Halal business is unique for its religious dimension, but it cannot escape the same law of gravity in an economic world that is applicable to all businesses,” according to a report entitled 2010: The Prologue of Halal Era, published within the book.

“Only through strong business alliances, will Halal businesses be able to form collaborative relationship management, procurement and logistical effectiveness and efficiency along the entire Halal supply chain – the key link that will help them fully realise the potentials of the global Halal industry.”

The report went on to highlight the most-up-to-date value of the global Halal food market using latest available data, which is actually closer to US$720 billion at 2009 prices. Malaysia’s Halal food market alone was estimated to be worth US$12.21 billion in 2009, which is approximately 6.3% of its nominal gross domestic product of US$192.82 billion.

These are just a fraction of the expert reports and analysis published within the International Halal SME Report Directory 2011/12, which made its debut at the Halal Fiesta Malaysia (HALFEST) starting today till Oct 16, 2011 at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur.

Other key features include interviews with key Halal personalities including Dato Mukhriz Mahathir, deputy minister of International Trade and Industries, who explains the Halal agenda under the current administration; market analysis for agriculture, manufacturing, services and tourism sectors; as well as regional reports for Russia, United States and India.

Complementing the hard facts and figures, the 208-page A4-sized publication also highlights key players within the main Halal sectors within its premium listing section, as well as over 1,000 free listing of Halal-certified manufacturers of food, health products, ingredients, chemical, flavouring as well as many other related industries from all over the world.

Aiming to give senior decision makers an up-to-date view of the ever-changing global Halal landscape, the first-of-its-kind publication is also backed by proprietary web portals HalalSME.com and HalalMedia.net, to provide real value content for both the readers and the businesses alike, helping to promote their brand names and Halal statuses within the global arena.

“In addition to the listing in the book, we are also offering free online listing for Halal certified companies in HalalSME.com. Not only that, we’re even offering free blogs for SMEs to promote their products and services within our growing community,” said Kamarul Aznam Kamaruzaman, Editorial Director of H Media, publishers of the book.

“SME owners can create their own web pages and sell their products or services online, share their thoughts and plans for the business as well as network and stay up to date with the rest of the players within the community,” he added.

Extending the value proposition even further, premium paid members can also send in unlimited company updates to be published in HalalMedia.net, a consumer-centric Halal portal. In addition to news, they can also send in advertorials, videos or even products for review, for only RM200 (US$70) a year.

“We see it as a pyramid – the larger more profitable SMEs pay a small annual fee to cover the maintenance cost and at the same time, support the micro and new start-ups. Ultimately, we want to strengthen the Halal industry by utilising both the traditional and new media. In the end, everybody benefits, Insha Allah,” Kamarul added.

Quick Reader (QR) codes for instance, were already used extensively throughout the publication, directing mobile users to respective corporate websites or blogs, as well as premium content such as interview videos. More cool features are being planned with the sole aim of providing local Halal SMEs a true-to-nature globalised promotional platform, by utilising the powers of Internet and social networking.

From now until Oct 16, the book can be viewed, thumbed and purchased at HALFEST at booth #2064, Hall 2, Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur, before it is made available at major bookstores and premium retail outlets across Malaysia and selected cities around the world. For online purchases using credit card or PayPal, log on to http://ihsmerd.halalsme.com/purchase.

###

For more info, please contact:

Kamarul Aznam Kamaruzaman

Editorial Director, H Media

M: +6012-6346760

kamarul@hmedia.my

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The Director of LPPOM MUI, Ir. Lukmanul Hakim, M.Si., adding that in the recent progress and developments, there have been many countries recognizing and receiving Halal Fatwa by MUI. Among them are the countries in Middle East region, such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which previously did not care about halal certification.

“Turkey, a secular State, which was originally strictly prohibited nuanced symbols of religion, including Islamic symbols, now has also recognized halal certification of MUI”, said Lukmanul Hakim.

Some time ago, the Director of LPPOM MUI and some leaders of MUI had been invited to Dubai, UAE, to make presentations and discuss various aspects of halal certification which have been conducting MUI so far.

In addition, the system of halal certification and halal assurance system which have been established by LPPOM MUI have also been well accepted and adopted by 48 international halal certification bodies, such as halal certification bodies in the ASEAN region, Australia, Europe and even America and Africa.

In this regard, as revealed by the Chairman of MUI, H. Amidhan, MUI has made a list of overseas halal certification bodies which have been recognized by MUI.

Combining Science and Islamic Shariah

Lukmanul Hakim described again, they give the appreciation after looking at the performance of MUI which can combine the two aspects of science and Islamic shariah at the same time simultaneously, so that it becomes a halal assurance system which is proven scientifically and strengthened by the shariah propositions in the realm of Islamic texts, the Fiqhiyyah studies.

For example, Lukmanul Hakim argued about alcohol, as the dominant content in beverages, the alcoholic drinks, which is prohibited explicitly by the Islamic texts of shariah propositions. At first, the ulamas forbid alcoholic beverages, which through a qiyash or analogous method, it is comparable with khamar which has been prohibited explicitly. And hence, all alcohol is forbidden.

Categorization of Alcohol

Then, LPPOM MUI conducts an intensive studies and research. In fact, the result shows that alcohol itself can be grouped into three main categories. Firstly, the alcohol contained in khamar, the beverage or alcoholic drink which is strictly forbidden in the texts. Secondly, the alcohol contained in many types of fruits and food, such as durian, or even rice; and thirdly, the alcohol which is made synthetically through an industrial processes and used to wash any tools and equipments, to be sterile and hygienic.

Through this categorization, the ulamas in the Fatwa Committee of MUI then determine that the alcohol in khamar, the beverage or alcoholic drink is distinctively forbidden, in accordance with the provisions of the shariah texts, while the alcohol contained in fruits such as durian, and foods such as rice, are not forbidden to be consumed. And the synthetic alcohol can be used to wash industrial tools and equipments. It is not categorized as khamar which is defiling filth or dirty. (Translated into English by Usman Effendi AS).

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Holista Colltech, an Australian Stock Exchange listed company, extended the sponsorship to USM to produce the world’s first halal enzyme production process.

The sponsorship presentation ceremony witnessed by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was also attended by Holista Colltech chief executive officer, Datuk Dr M. Rajen and USM Vice-Chancellor Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak.

Dr Rajen said the research cooperation with USM was hoped to result in an innovative process to enable plant-based enzymes to produce collagen and halal gelatine.

“We are happy to be able to support the growth of the country’s biotechnology sector and believe that it can further help the industry,” he told reporters.

Holista Colltech is a research-driven biotechnology company that produces first class natural material and health products.

– BERNAMA

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Being able to choose Halal when it comes to cosmetic purchases is still a relatively new concept with the vast majority of brands yet to celebrate their fifth birthday. However, with the worlds Muslim population set to grow from the present 23% to around 26.4% over the next twenty years (Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life) it looks like this is one section that has plenty more growing to do.

Last year (Halal Cosmetics – A New Horizon) I took a look at the science behind Halal cosmetics in a bid to understand and help communicate this very specific set of requirements to the wider cosmetic industry and its customers. The main points being:

• No alcohol (Ethanol) wherever possible. Some Muslims are happy to accept alcohol as an integral part of a fragrance product as these products can be applied to clothing and as such are unlikely to permeate the body. However, alcohol in general skin-care is less accepted and many Halal brands use alcohol (ethanol) free as a selling point.
• No Pork Derivatives. Glycerine, gelatine, collagen, Keratin and Elastin are the main culprits here. While much of the glycerine used in cosmetics these days is vegetable derived (usually a bi-product of palm oil production) some meat-derived glycerine still makes it into the cosmetics market. This is a no-go for Halal brand.
• No animal derived ingredients. This takes the above statement one step further and should include ingredients that while not animal derived themselves may have been prepared in animal-derived media (such as petri dishes). This also brings in the ingredients Hyaluronic acid, squalane, Chitin and Chitosan although again, due to a general dislike of animal derived ingredients these are now available as non-animal derived alternatives.

While this looks like it could be adhered to quite easily on the surface, the supply chain traceability required of Halal cosmetics and the attention to the detail of the preparation of each ingredient make for quite a challenge.

Take GM crops for example, in December 2010 a conference held in Penang, Malaysia (The International Workshop for Islamic Scholars “Agri-biotechnology: Sharia Compliance” agreed that GM crops could be Halal just so long as the ingredients used to develop them are from Halal sources. This position has since been fiercely debated especially by UK based Green group “The Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences” who have concerns about the way GM crops undermine God’s creation and can potentially damage the surrounding ecosystem. So to date, GM is officially ‘in’ although the market seems to be opting out.

But this challenge of scientific and marketing complexity is being met by many entrepreneurial spirits who are rising to the challenge and filing this developing gap in the market.

Saaf Pure Skincare based in the UK is one of the global success stories and now sell in over thirteen countries. Having not spoken directly to Saaf I can only report on what I see on their website and from there I see a brand that complies not only with Halal certification but also with Organic, Cruelty-Free and Vegan standards. In addition the companies are vocal about their formulations being 100% natural, vegetarian, alcohol-free, non-irradiated and free from Genetically Modified Organisms. They also remind the consumer that their products are only tested on willing humans and contain only ingredients needed to fulfill the products function – no fillers, no added perfume. If this Halal brand is setting the benchmark then the buzz word for the segment is ‘Purity’.

Other Internationally recognised brands meeting the Halal requirements are the Australian-made Inika Minerals who have just broken the back of the UK market to become one of Australia’s most successful Organic make-up exports, Canadian based One-Pure Cosmetics with their sophisticated anti-ageing skincare range and UK based Hussana with their low-priced skin and hair care options.

At a local level in Malaysia, the cosmetic/Natural health market has seen a number of Halal breakthroughs in terms of producing neutriceutical beauty products that are gelatine free, anti-bacterial mouthwashes that are alcohol-free and pharmaceutical base creams that are guaranteed to be free from animal derivatives. Again, it is quite possible that these products are already available in the wider market but the emphasis on fulfilling the ethical and practical (paper trail) requirements of the Halal market combine to make these developments significant.

So far it looks like Halal cosmetics fit very neatly (at least on a scientific level) alongside other Natural, Environmentally conscious, pure and animal-testing free cosmetic ranges. So do we need Halal personal care?

To answer that we need to think more about the lifestyle of the people for whom these products are aimed.

While not all Muslim women cover their hair, for those that do there are practical implications. The hair can become more greasy, lank and hard to manage. These facts have not gone un-noticed and have been picked up on by global hair-care giant Unilever who have just launched an advertising campaign aimed at hijab wearing women. Their new Sunsilk formulation promises to help revitalize the scalp of hijab wearers with natural lime while gently addressing greasiness and dandruff made worse by religious observance. Their tag line “the first shampoo for covered hair” is as smart as it is true – build the need, fill the need.

Other uniquely Muslim requirements include products that are pure and clean enough, without any perfumed smell, to be used during the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca. During this time it is essential that cleanliness and personal hygiene are not confused with a celebration of objectified beauty. Keeping it simple is the key. The same goes for daily prayer rituals which require the wudu or ritual cleaning to take place before prayer can begin. As far as cosmetic choices go, this makes the use of hard-to-remove or semi-permanent products most inconvenient.

So, to sum up, it would seem that the science that supports the Halal ethos is as well set as any other certification process. There are some areas for further clarification and discussion (such as GMO) but a general agreement on direction and interpretation has been reached. However, when it comes to translating that into lifestyle-based solutions there still seems room for innovation. Muslim men, women and children want to buy products that tick not just the practical but also the emotional box, they want to feel a connection, they want to see themselves in the product, and they want to be truly represented. For me, the future success of Halal cosmetic has less to do with the science and more to do with winning the hearts and minds of this diverse and ethical consumer group. As the best way to do that is to listen, I think the time has come to pull up a chair, put on the kettle and start to get to know our Muslim friends and neighbours.

Related posts:

1. UK: Halal cosmetics store to open in Birmingham city centre
2. UK: Pure Halal Beauty
3. "Halal" Beauty and the Cosmetics Industry
4. Beauty which goes skin deep
5. UAE: Islamic beauty: Can halal cosmetics outgrow their niche?