WNAM MONITORING: Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) has emphasized the need for transparency in the distribution of non-halal products, including clear labeling and separation from halal goods.
BPJPH head Ahmad Haikal Hasan said on Monday that proper labeling would allow consumers to make informed choices in accordance with their beliefs and needs.
“With clear labeling that distinguishes between halal and non-halal products, the public can make informed decisions,” he said in a statement.
He noted that the mandatory halal policy, as stipulated in Law No. 33 of 2014 on Halal Product Assurance, is aimed at providing legal certainty and consumer protection, not restricting the circulation of certain products.
“We need to correct the misconception that the government prohibits non-halal products from being sold, or that it allows them to be marketed without clear labeling,” Hasan stated.
He explained that non-halal products may still be produced, distributed, and traded in Indonesia.However, products derived from prohibited (haram) materials must carry clear and legible non-halal labels in accordance with prevailing regulations, he added.
In distribution and sales, non-halal products must also be separated from halal products to prevent mixing or potential cross-contamination.
This requirement forms part of the traceability principle in the Halal Product Process (PPH), which underpins the halal product assurance system.
Hasan said the halal product assurance policy is neither discriminatory nor intended to limit businesses.
