Jakim mulls mandating halal cert for eateries not serving pork, alcohol

The Islamic Development Department (Jakim) is mulling a proposal to make halal certification mandatory for restaurants and food companies that do not serve pork or alcohol.

Presently, there are no laws requiring restaurant operators or food companies to obtain halal certification.

“To mandate that all (restaurants) have halal certification, several acts or laws will need to be amended. Many agencies will need to be involved in enforcing this,” Free Malaysia Today reported Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs) Mohd Na’im Mokhtar as saying at a press conference during the International Conference on Family Law 2024.

The practice of food businesses applying for halal certification is done voluntarily.

Three days ago, Jakim announced that six popular food and beverage outlets regularly patronised by Muslims do not possess halal certification.

It listed Johnny’s, Black Canyon, Dolly Dim Sum, Mr Dakgalbi, Bungkus Kaw Kaw, and Ayam Penyet Best (except four outlets) as not having halal certificates.

[Editor's note: According to a statement dated Dec 5, 2024, Bungkus Kaw Kaw announced that it has achieved the Jakim Halal certification.]

Be proactive

On that note, Na’im (above) urged Muslims to be more proactive in verifying the halal status of restaurants through platforms provided by Jakim, such as the Halal Malaysia Portal.

The heightened awareness among consumers, he added, could help apply pressure on restaurant operators to secure halal certification.

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