Category: Farm-to-Fork News
Turkey Impressed With Malaysia’s Promotion Of Halal Standards
Turkey has complimented the efforts
taken by the Malaysian government to promote halal standards, its
Deputy Undersecretary for Foreign Trade, Omer Faruk Dogan said Friday on his visit to the Malaysia International Halal Showcase in Kuala Lumpur.
Halal variety of luxury Kobe beef takes the spotlight
Le Meridien in Kuala Lumpur is serving a Halal variety of Kobe beef from Australia that is making news at their restaurant. Usually raised on massage, beer and sake, Kobe beef is famed for its marbelled texture and unusual tenderness. Now, Halal diners can taste some for themselves – minus the alcohol.
Malaysia To Help OIC Formulate Halal Standards
Malaysia will help the members of
the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) develop OIC-based halal
standards, a move which will likely pave the way for the evolution of
global halal standards.
Global Expansion Hope For Malaysia’s Halal Certification Standard
The halal certification standard used
by Malaysia will hopefully be expanded to other countries including
member nations of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC),
Minister of International Trade and Industry Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
said Monday.
A T Kearney issue report on Addressing the Muslim Market
“Since Muslims are the fastest growing consumer segment in the world, any company that is not considering how to serve them is missing a significant opportunity to affect both its top-and bottom-line growth. Deciding to serve the Muslim consumer will depend on the ease with which the company can address this market and the opportunity versus the cost of doing so. Although there are political and social pitfalls to consider, the opportunities are so vast and far-reaching that they greatly outweigh the risks. With many of the world’s consumer segments reaching a saturation point, the Muslim consumer is fast becoming a new outlet to build a base for future growth.”
While this quote from A T Kearney’s report, “Addressing the Muslim Market” is not necessarily anything new to many of the Halal sector players, the fact that this report has appeared in the mainstream is itself a clear confirmation of what many of us have been saying for years.
Thai Airways International Halal Kitchen now Fully Certified
Responding to growing demand from thousands of Muslim travellers every
day, Thai Airways International has signed an MoU with the Islamic
Committee of Samut Prakarn Province to receive permission for usage of
the Halal Logo by the Central Islamic Committee of Thailand.
Halal fast food franchise hits UK streets
One of the UK’s first Halal fast food franchises has launched after working with a leading franchise expert. Mahmoods, a Halal burger bar and takeaway has just launched its
franchise offer after working with Franchise Development Services
Northern (FDS Northern).
Minnesota hummus maker expanding business overseas
The success story of Majdi Wadi and his Holy Land food brand in Minnesota is an indication not only of the increasing cultural integration in the USA, but also the expansion of the Halal-related food markets there. Minnesota can also claim Keith Ellison, the first Muslim congressman in US history, so clearly some things in the USA are moving in the right direction. With a 9 million Muslim population with substantial disposable income, the US is a lucrative niche Halal market that is overlooked by the majority of manufacturers.
Fat replacers to spiral in US dairy and meat sectors
Demand
in the US for fat replacers is set to increase as health trends continue, with
particular growth experienced in the meat and dairy sector, according
to a new report. Cargill have reported the development of a Halal fat replacer made from restructured vegetable fat, and there is a clear opportunity for other Halal ingredient manufacturers to take advantage of this growing trend.
Nahavandian hails ICC’s General Assembly
Head
of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines on Sunday hailed
the success the Islamic Chamber of Commerce (ICC) General Assembly held
in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The assembly
was held to review the international project on Halal brand aiming at
standardization of Halal products.
Halal-certified businesses on a roll
Over the past eight years, the number of halal-certified businesses in
Singapore has grown nearly four-fold from 530 to over 2,000, and an
increasing number of eateries are catering to more adventurous palates. Observers
said there is still plenty of room for the industry to grow as the
spending power of the Muslim community is going up. That is why more
businesses are keen to tap the global halal food market that is
estimated to be worth over $760 billion.
Increased corn imports to boost Halal market
Mindanao
Business Council chair Vicente Lao said in an interview that one major
factor affecting the bid of the Philippines to be the prime exporter of
chicken with the Halal certification is the high price of corn in the
country today.
Jakim Will Continue To Train Halal Industry Researchers, Says Abdullah
The Malaysian Islamic Development
Department (Jakim) will continue to train officers handling research on
the halal industry, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. He said they must know what are the matters that need to be
understood in determing whether a product is halal (permitted by Islam).
Inn keeping with changing needs
A SWIFT drink down the local has taken on a new twist – at what is thought to be the country’s first Islamic ‘pub’. Reminiscent
of the 19th century temperance bars, the Halal Inn, on Featherstall
Road, Oldham is a public house which has most of the trappings of a
traditional British hostelry, but is missing what many would think is
the key ingredient – alcohol! Owner Azizur Rahman and
business partner Muzahid Khan spotted a gap in the market and came up
with the idea to provide an alternative social gathering place for
local Muslims.
MITI Pledges To Work With HDC To Grow Halal Industry
The International Trade &
Industry Ministry (MITI) Monday pledged to work with Halal Industry
Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (HDC) to step up the pace of growth of
the industry to enable it to meet international demand. The Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, said MITI accepts the
Cabinet’s decision for HDC to remain within the Prime Minister’s
department (JPM).
HDC Is Not To Take Over Jakim’s Authority, Says Ahmad Zahid
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s
Department Datuk Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today the Halal Industry
Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (HDC), which has been entrusted by the
Cabinet to issue halal certificates, is not meant to take over the
Malaysian Islamic Development Department’s (Jakim) authority. “Instead, it was meant as a one-stop agency consisting of Jakim,
the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Halal Forum
and so on,” he told a press conference.
Halal certification now under HDC
The Cabinet has decided to transfer the function of halal
certification to Halal Industry Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (HDC)
from Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim), Minister in the Prime
Minister’s Department Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
One body now for Malaysia Halal Industry
Halal Industry Development Corp (HDC) is now the only body in the country authorised to issue halal certificates.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
said HDC would also conduct research and development, organise
expositions and promote the halal industry.
New Halal Certification For Restaurants in Brunei
A new Halal certification for restaurants in the
country is – to be implemented this year. This certification will
identify which restaurants will be fit for Muslim consumption and
which are not. It will also give authority to the Halal Food Control
Section to close down a restaurant if needed.
