January-February . 2021 | @ Halal

BY CAMILIA REZALI

associated with what is right , healthy , safe and highly-regarded , halal food products have become a todie-for among Muslims and non-Muslims worldwide .

Malaysia aspires to become a global hub for halal goods and services ’ production and distribution for many years . For that reason , Malaysians are continually looking forward to enlarging their halal product offerings .

If we were to look at the Islamic economy ’ s entire picture , we could say that Malaysia has a unique halal ecosystem . And one of the most essential things for Malaysia right now is to make sure all the products produced by entrepreneurs , especially SMEs , are halal-certified .

So , what is the big worry on halal certification ?

According to the Kedah State Secretary and Chairman of Kedah Zakat Board ( LZNK ), Datuk Paduka Ammar Shaikh Mahmood Naim : “ The assumption in Malaysia , in Kedah mainly , is that when a product is produced by Muslims , the product is considered halal . But is it really halal ?

“ The awareness of halal certification is not there yet in Kedah . Our challenge now is how can we make people realise that getting certified is important to expand their business not only locally but also worldwide .”

One of Kedah ’ s big goals is to work towards being a champion in providing halal-certified products for Muslims and non-Muslims .

To reach its target , the State is looking at working with Halvec Laboratories Sdn Bhd , a company offering halal verification scheme .

On Dec 14 , 2020 , Ammar and few other members met with Halvec Laboratories Sdn Bhd to better overview Halvec ’ s Seal Verification Scheme ( SVS ). The meeting also looked at the potential collaboration on halal capacity building and the expansion of halal

Shaikh Mahmood Naim

Nor Amin

science development in Kedah .

Halvec Laboratories operates under Global Haltech , which offers a systematic and sustainable approach by integrating training , testing , and trade tools .

The company also serves as a market connector linking Far East producers to the world . Besides that , the company brings the halal value chain “ from lab to shelf ”.

Halvec operates as an ISO17025 accredited service laboratory in Malaysia . The laboratory offers testing and verification services covering the scope of Halal Testing ,

OPERATION ... Chairman of Global Haltech Nor Amin ( right ) takes the members of Kedah state government on a tour around Halvec ' s lab work .

Toyyiban Testing and Ethical Testing .

“ Our team is at the forefront of Halalan Toyyiban testing technology . The protocol of analyses that we deploy is accredited under ISO 17025 , which ensures accuracy , integrity and reliability of the results ,” said Chief Executive Officer of Global Haltech , Hasniza Ramli .

Halvec Laboratories is one of three Jakim Panel Labs in Malaysia which conduct analysis on samples to support the assessment of halal certification .

Not only that , Halvec Laboratories is also accredited with ILAC Mra which is an international organisation for accreditation bodies operating in testing laboratories ( using ISO / IEC 17025 ).

The chairman of Global Haltech , Nor Amin Mohd Noor said : “ The SVS introduced by Halvec Laboratories is a laboratory verification seal that is primarily granted to provide products with an assurance for halal safety and reliability before being marketed .

“ The verification scheme is primarily useful for products that demand halal verification and security . Not only it has given products supplier an upper hand in improving halal security of goods , but also helped in gaining and restoring trust from consumers , especially Muslims .”

The awareness of halal certification is not there yet in Kedah . Our challenge now is how can we make people realise that getting certified is important to expand their business not only locally but also worldwide .” – Datuk Paduka Ammar Shaikh Mahmood Naim

Products suppliers can maintain their business while having to hold back for the halal logo application process from Jakim . Moreover , the seal can also add an eyecatching feature that quickly lends value to a product .

Any company or products supplier including Multi-National Company ( MNC ), Small and Medium Enterprise ( SME ) and Small Industry ( SI ) are the parties which can apply for the SVS .

The products include cosmetics , pharmaceuticals , or food-based products . The scheme is also applicable to products suppliers who have applied or in process for Jakim halal certification .

Added Ammar : “ What we are doing now in Kedah is we have introduced Muzakki – a zakat certification and logo for Muslim entrepreneurs who have contributed to the Zakat Board of Kedah .

“ With an additional Seal Verification Scheme ( SVS ) introduced by Halvec , it helps to verify a product as safe and complying to Shariah law . Due to this , the potential to expand Kedah into a halal hub will be huge .”