ALOR SETAR, March 19 (Bernama) — The Islamic Development Department (Jakim) will re-issue halal certificates (SPH) to companies which had theirs suspended, if they meet the set requirements.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said Jakim would ease up on companies reapplying for the certification and reissue certificates, if the requirements were met.
Companies failing to adhere to rules and regulations would have their certificates retracted and suspended to preserve the integrity of the halal certificate, he said.
“In the case of food preparation halal certificates, the regulations in the kitchen require the cook to be Muslim. We will even test the person to recite the Shahadah (proclamation of faith).
“The product must not only look halal, but its preparation must also follow Islamic practices. If they meet these requirements, halal certification will be given, even if the premises owner is a non-Muslim,” he told reporters after a meet-the-people event at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tajar here Saturday.
Jamil Khir said certificates issued by private companies were not recognised as proof that a product was halal, and only Jakim had rights to give out the certificates.
He said 62 Jakim officers authorised by the domestic trade, cooperative and consumerism ministry to monitor halal certificates were given special training on how to carry out their duties.
Yesterday, Jamil Khir said 51 companies had their halal certificates suspended last year for flouting Malaysia’s halal standards.
Of this number, the halal authentication panel retracted halal recognition from six companies which are no longer allowed to use the halal logo.
— BERNAMA
