As the concept of halal is associated with what is right, healthy, safe and highly-regarded, halal food products have become a to-die-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 science development in Kedah.
Shaikh Mahmood Naim
Nor Amin
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
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, 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.”
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 eye-catching 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.”
