in the testing methods for halal products are being developed , and labs are investing heavily in the research of testing methods and the technology to carry out the tests .

It offers the ability to detect contaminants at levels much lower than previously achieved . And as these tests get more and more sensitive , the trust and confidence in Halal certification will increase ; this is important for the credibility of the industry .

Consumers must be confident about the authenticity of the halal products they are purchasing for the future success of this changing industry . It is an exciting marketplace to be involved in and one that has so far embraced the added scrutiny .

Credit is due to the halal industry for being so open to change , which they acknowledge is necessary for the future of the industry .

All products produced for the needs of Islamic consumers must comply with halal criteria . These criteria refer to the nature , origin , and the processing method of the food product .

Halal dietary laws determine which foods are permitted or prohibited ( i . e . haram ) for Muslims found in the Quran and the Hadith . Therefore , it is essential to ensure the halal status of any products .

It is in line with the advice of Rasulullah Saw in his words which means : “ Finding what is halal is obligatory for every Muslim ”. ( HR Ibn Abdil-Barr ). Unfortunately , most

By DR ZALINA ZAKARIA DIRECTOR UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA HALAL RESEARCH CENTER

AND Atiqah Abdul Aziz Research OFFICER , UM HALAL Research Center

consumers do not have enough information to decide on the purchase of goods .

So it does not surprise the public is always doubtful when using goods even though the word “ halal ” is displayed from local and foreign authorities . In the food supply chain , there are many stages from raising the animals to reaching the consumers ; any violation of halal practices or contamination in the supply chain will automatically make the end product ” haram ”.

For example , in the preparation , processing , manufacture , storage , and transport of halal cosmetic products , maintenance of hygiene and sterile conditions must be ensured at all times .

Improper use of halal certificates

There are two significant aspects to halal testing , which comprise of Syariah testing for Muslim only , and Safety Testing for both Muslims and Non-Muslims . Under both branches , place significance on porcine screening , adulterant screening ( for men ’ s health products , supplement , etc .) and steroid screening ( for cosmetics , supplement products , etc .).

Halal products have often been found as haram in many countries . There has been improper use of halal certificates or labels on products , cross-contamination in the production of halal and haram food at manufacturers , use of animals that are not slaughtered ritually and with no consideration on animal welfare .

For example , in cosmetics products , most of them contain the elements of pork , porcine DNA and proteins , oils , fats , lards , gelatine and other substances which may render a product to be non-Halal . Furthermore , contamination with pork in food products ( meat ) can lead to increased risks associated with Trichinella spiralis , Toxoplasma gondii and Yersinia

enterocolitica infections .

All of these infections are caused by ingestion of contaminated undercooked or raw pork , exposure from infected cat faeces or game meat . Usually , infectious cysts in striated muscle tissue are digested , releasing L1 larvae which mature into adults in the small intestine .

The adult forms release newborn larvae in a few weeks .

Meanwhile , for Toxoplasma gondii , there are three infectious stages . The first stage is tachyzoites ( in groups or clones ), where there is rapid multiplication of any cell of the intermediate host and nonintestinal epithelial cells of the definitive host .

Second is the bradyzoites ( in tissue cysts ) best described as the organism multiplying slowly within a tissue cyst , and finally , the sporozoites ( in oocysts ).

Furthermore , the halal market is driven by the development of halal ingredients authentication methods that strengthen the confidence of consumers . Consumers ’ concern about gelatin source is due to cultural and religious beliefs .

Effects of collagen

For examples , Muslim and Jews reject porcine based food derivatives , Chinese traditional medicine use only gelatin from donkey skin for treatment of some disease and vegetarians avoid gelatin-based products .

Gelatin is among the most studied halal ingredient because of its vast usage in pharmaceutical and food products . Gelatin contains protein , peptides or nucleic acid .

Gelatin is made from collagen , a protein extracted from the skin , bones and connective tissues of animals such as cows , chicken , pigs and fish . After extraction , the collagen is partially hydrolysed to form the gelatin and is used in the form of sheets , granules or powder .