HALAL CERTIFIERS, DOST 12 SIGN MOA ON THE USE OF HALAL LABORATORY Tuesday, Nov 05 2013 Written by Gandhi Kinjiyo Bound by their common goal to help in the development of Halal industry in the country, three (3) Halal certifying bodies have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Science and Technology Region XII on the use of the DOST XII Halal Laboratory. The three certifying included the General Santos City-based Mindanao Halal Authority (MINHA) headed by Engr. Mohamad Ali Suib. The MOA signing was one of the highlights of the 3rd National Halal Forum held at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel in Metro Manila on October 29-30, 2013 attended by more than two Halal industry stakeholders. To be accredited to the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), Halal certifying body need to have its own laboratory or has a MOA with laboratory that has the capacity to detect presence of Haram (forbidden) in food and non-food items. NCMF is the government agency that accredits Halal certifiers to assure that they comply with the Philippine National Halal Standard. DOST Regional Director Dr. Zenaida P. Hadji Raof-Laidan signed in behalf of DOST Region XII while the respective heads of Halal certifying bodies signed for their organizations. The P75M Philippine Halal Laboratory with competent technicians was established by DOST Region XII in Cotabato City. It serves as the clearing house of assurance and integrity of all Halal food produced in the Philippines. Food samples to be tested will undergo stringent laboratory testing process to ensure it is safe and free from porcine ingredients or contamination. Halal certifying bodies will issue Halal seal to company products that have passed the Halal standard requirements. Halal seal on products tells Muslim consumers that the item is free from Haram contents. Certifiers can bring food samples from companies which seek Halal certification to DOST Halal laboratory. Corresponding service fees will apply. The MOA states that there is the a sacred need of assuring the purity and integrity of halal produced particularly on human consumption so that wholesome and safe foods will be readily available and will not violate healthy as well religious beliefs of the consuming public. The agreement is one of the strategies to uplift the plight of mostly the food industries, particularly the Small and Medium-Term Industries (SMEs), to increase their accessibility to science and technology services while effectively monitoring the quality of their products to be competitive in the lucrative halal markets. Government officials are optimistic that the Philippine Halal products could penetrate the global Halal food market with an estimated value of US$547 billion a year and still growing. Laidan said the application of science and technology will maintain the integrity of Halal certification. DOST Region 12 spearheads the establishment of Philippine Halal Science Center that will be opened in Koronadal City next year. Neighboring nations like Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand has been exporting their Halal food products in the world market. Lots of Halal foods coming from Malaysia and Indonesia are also found in the shelves of supermarkets in the Philippines.
Posted on: Wed, 06 Nov 2013 06:29:03 +0000
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