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September-October. 2025 | @ AGROBiz
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23 yeast, and spirulina are generally considered permissible if they are produced without prohibited additives or genetic material from non-halal sources. These ingredients have potential applications in nutraceuticals, supplements, and sustainable food products.
As these markets evolve, halal certification remains central to consumer trust. Certification authorities face new challenges in verifying novel ingredients, ensuring traceability, and assessing technologies unfamiliar to traditional food production. Collaboration among regulators, scientists, and shari’ ah scholars helps align technological innovation with the principles of halalan toyyiban. For agribusiness leaders, proactive engagement with halal certification bodies not only ensures compliance but also enhances brand reputation and access to premium halal export markets.
FAITH AND SCIENCE
Halal innovation is not about resisting science. It is about guiding it responsibly. As sustainability and ethical production gain global importance, the halal framework offers a model for balanced and principled progress. By integrating halal integrity with food technology, the agrifood sector can pioneer products that meet global sustainability goals while respecting cultural and religious values.
With careful regulation and collaboration, halal-certified novel proteins can contribute to food security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. Halal innovation encourages stewardship( khalifah) of the earth’ s resources and supports technological development that benefits humanity. These ideas reflect the objectives of maqasid al-Shariah, which seek to safeguard human life, health, and the environment. The Quran reminds us of this balance:
“ And eat of what Allah has provided for you [ which is ] lawful and good. And fear Allah in whom you are believers.”( Quran, Al-Ma’ idah 5:88).
This principle continues to inspire the halal food industry, reminding agri-entrepreneurs that innovation must serve both human well-being and moral integrity.
CONCLUSION
Novel proteins are reshaping how we think about food. They promise sustainability, efficiency, and exciting new options for future diets. For agribusiness players, the message is clear: aligning innovation with halal assurance is not a constraint, but a competitive advantage.
For Muslim consumers, halal and toyyib remain fundamental. But for agribusiness players, this is not a barrier, it is an advantage. Integrating halal assurance into novel protein development strengthens trust, widens export potential, and positions businesses to serve both mainstream and halal markets simultaneously.
As scientists, entrepreneurs, and halal authorities work together, novel proteins can evolve into a globally trusted category that meets both sustainability goals and ethical standards. With innovation guided by values, and business strategy rooted in integrity, the novel protein sector can become a key growth engine for the halal and global agrifood economy- feeding the world responsibly, sustainably, and profitably.- @ AGROBiz