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Opinion
@ Halal | May-June . 2021
Waste not ,
FOOD is the most important sector in the halal industry .
While it is very encouraging to have more players in the halal food segment as it translates to the availability of more choices to consumers , it also creates a liability in the food system . The liability here refers to the waste generated along the processes involved .
According to a study conducted by the National Solid Waste Management Department ( JPSPN ) in 2012 , food waste is among the highest generated in Malaysia , with approximately 31-45 per cent of the total volume waste generated every day .
Food waste from the industries is divided into food residue , kitchen waste , expired or contaminated food , and wasted food . Improper management of waste can lead to the environmental crisis and health calamities .
In response to this burgeoning problem , waste management and recovery have been identified as components in many modern and established sustainable food systems ( consisting of production , processing , distribution , marketing , consumption , and waste management / recovery ).
Nevertheless , the attributes of halalan toyyiban have long been ingrained in the waste management and recovery processes .
The deep-rooted halalan toyyiban attributes in waste management
Being wasteful means being excessive , prodigal , extravagant , imprudent , and improvident . This , in the food scenario , extends to overconsumption . And clearly , God does not love the wasteful .
“ O Children of Adam ! Beautify yourselves for every act of worship , and eat and drink [ freely ], but do not waste , verily , He does not love the wasteful !” [ Q . al-A ’ raf 7 : 31 ]
Indeed , to curb being wasteful , one should strive for moderation in consumption .
And give the relative his right , and ( also ) the poor and the traveller , and do not spend wastefully . Indeed , the wasteful are brothers of Satan , and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful [ Q . al-Isra ’ 17 : 27-28 ]
They are those who , when they spend , are not extravagant and not niggardly , but hold a just ( balance ) between those ( extremes ). [ Q . al-Furqan 25 : 67 ]
Zero waste in the food system is impossible . However , effective processes that began with mindfulness of the damaging effects of mismanaged waste on the environment and health should guide the development and implementation of strategies .
Waste easily equals uncleanliness , hence not hygienic and definitely not toyyib . Being filthy is certainly not in favour in the Islamic teachings as evident from a saying of Prophet Muhammad ( pbuh ), which emphasises the importance of cleanliness : Cleanliness is half of faith … [ Muslim ] Waste is an eyesore and could also be unpleasant for the olfactory system . More seriously , it can cause detrimental effects on global warming due to the increase in greenhouse gases . want not Liability here refers to the waste generated along the processes involved
BY YUMI ZUHANIS HAS-YUN HASHIM
AND
NUR HANIE MOHD LATIFF
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HALAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING ( INHART ), INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA
Waste could also be the culprit for many different health problems . As a protection of the environment and health is essential in Islamic beliefs , everyone has the responsibility to properly manage the root of the problem , i . e . the waste .
Manage the waste effectively !
In Malaysia , waste management in the halal food industry is at least partially governed by existing regulations . The Malaysian Standard : Halal Food and General Requirements 2019 ( MS 1500:2019 ) explicitly stated the requirement for producers to effectively manage the waste .
This can be found in clause 4.4.2 “ b ) manage the waste effectively ”.
Meanwhile , the Malaysian Protocol for the Halal Meat and Poultry Production also briefly outlined the process for managing waste from slaughterhouse under the sub-clause 4.5.2 “ animals that are dead due to stunning ( if used ) producer shall be identified as non-halal conformance , segregated and recorded ”.
These sub-clauses indicate that current management for waste in halal-certified establishments is more focused on the proper disposal method . It is now not as comprehensive as desired and required to effectively complement the components in the food system .
Managing waste effectively is also a part of the United Nations Agenda 2030 about SDG12 - Responsible Consumption and Production .
Let ’ s NOT be the brothers of Satan …
Satan is an avowed enemy of mankind [ c . f . Q . al-Isra ’ 17 : 53 ] and the wasteful are brothers of Satan , and Satan is ungrateful to his Lord [ c . f . Q . al-Isra ’ 17 : 27-28 ].
To this end , one may ask , then how not to be wasteful ? Here are some steps that we can do : seek knowledge , understand , reflect , correct , and renew the intention , devise strategies , practice and preach .
More specifically , subscribing to a waste management hierarchy could help guide us all . The most favourable option to the most minor is prevention , reduction , reuse , recycling , treatment / recovery , and disposal .
Nevertheless , a realisation of the heart of the matter is always the impetus of positive change . Thus , REALISE that being wasteful can lure us into the Satan brotherhood . Let us NOT be .