Conference on Emerging Issues in Food Safety
Speakers urge Islamic ways to ensure Halal food
FAISALABAD: Pakistan can be a leading Halal food market by meeting international standards of Halal-HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) because the sector has over two billion consumers across the world.
This was stated by the speakers on the second day of the international conference titled ‘Emerging Issues in Food Safety’ arranged by the National Institute of Food Science and Technology at New Senate Hall, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The conference was presided over by Justice (retd) Khalilur Rehman. Speaking on the occasion, Justice (retd) Khalilur Rehman stressed the need to develop a comprehensive mechanism to remove the contamination of non-Halal material and practices in the ‘Halal’ food by fully following the injunctions of Islam at slaughterhouses.
He asked the Punjab Agriculture Meat Company set up by the Punjab government for achieving the target of removing adulteration in Halal food in the country. He said: “Many daily-use items contain ingredients which are not Halal, but the people are ignorant of it. We should make sure before purchasing an item. Other countries have made a mechanism to end adulteration in food. We should learn from it.”
Dr Winai Dahlan, Director Halal Science Centre, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok said that Thailand was emerging as one of the largest exporters of the Halal food. He said that total Thai population was 68 million with Muslims 5.5 million (8 per cent). He said all process in the supply chain from raw materials and production to distribution must be free of non-halal items.
NIFSAT Director General Prof Dr Faqir Muhammad said that Halal food should be free of filth. “It should not be prepared, processed, produced or manufactured using filthy utensils, equipment and/or machinery,” he maintained. Dr Nadeem Riaz from Texas A & M University called for the standardization of international standard of Halal HACCP in the country to make the food pure Halal. He highlighted other factors, including poor sanitation and use of washing soaps containing non-halal ingredients. He called for taking tangible steps to end this practice.
Dr Tipayanate Ariyaptipan, Halal Science Centre, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok briefed the audience about the combined laboratory techniques for screening of Haram adulterated in food products available in Thai-Muslim market. PAMCO CEO Dr Hamid Jalil and NIFSAT’s Prof Dr Javaid Akram also spoke.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2011.
FAISALABAD: Pakistan can become a leading Halal food market and tap two billion consumers worldwide if it meets international standards.
This was the key remark made by the speakers on the second day of an international conference titled “Emerging Issues in Food Safety” at University of Agriculture, Faisalabad on Tuesday.
Dr Nadeem Riaz, Research Scientist & Director of the A&M University, Texas called for standardisation of hazard analysis and critical control points in the country to make food purely Halal.
Hazard analysis and critical control points is a systematic preventive approach to food safety that addresses physical, chemical and biological hazards as a means of prevention rather than finished product inspection.
He also shed light on other factors including poor sanitation situation and use of washing soaps which contain non-Halal contents.
He said a transparent system of Halal auditing, not just mere inspection, is a welcome approach to remove any suspicion about a manufactured product.
Former justice Khalilur Rehman, who was the chief guest, stressed the need for developing a comprehensive mechanism to remove contamination in Halal goods.
He pinned hope on the Punjab Agriculture Meat Company, established by the provincial government, for addressing the issue of adulteration in Halal food.
Dr Tipayanate Ariyaptipan of Halal Science Centre, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok briefed about the combined laboratory techniques for screening adulterated food products available in the Thai Muslim market.
