thinking,thinking n thinking!!!

For Muslims, the question of allowed (halal) and forbidden (haram) is
a matter of principle. And the principle carries a consequence for
Muslim's life both in the world and hereafter. Therefore, the
inclusion of halal principle in the Foodstuffs Law is commended.

On later application, as revealed by Minister for Food Affairs Ibrahim
Hasan, halal food and beverages products will be labelled. Until now,
only composition and expiration dates are marked or labelled on the
products.

The general public has become aware of the usefulness of expiration
date mark -- which signifies the quality of the products and their
effect on health. But only a small number of consumers understands the
composition of materials which make the products. Whereas this
composition is important to human body. Not to mention that among the
composition, haram materials may have been used.

The plan to obligate producers to put on halal labels on their
products will help Muslims in observing their religious law. Consumers
will no longer be trapped in eating or drinking haram stuffs, because
they can pick products based on the label.

We do not want a case such as the pork fat case which happened and
shocked the public a few years ago, to happen again. Such incident is
not only causing public anxiety, but also doing harm to the other
producers. Halal labelling, therefore, will avoid unnecessary social
unrest.

This is indeed a problematic matter, especially for producers who have
been including haram materials in their products. But it would not
cause any problem should the producers have not done so in the first
place. And this should be deemed as discriminating people of other
faiths, since they can choose other products.

In other countries, such as Malaysia, halal labelling has become a
law. Strong public demand has compelled its government to set up the
regulation and hence protect the public.

In the United States where the issue of halal-haram does not matter
much, pious Muslims usually pick products based on their composition.
They scrutinize the composition to check whether haram components have
been included. Such practice needs patience and care. For Indonesia,
the Malaysian example could be the referrence.

What also need to be determined are the criteria and mechanism to
assess whether or not a product is halal, institution or agency
authorized to issue halal labels, and persons involved in the agency.
Transparent assessment should be better for us all.

The labelling also provides a promotional means for producers to their
Muslim consumers. But instead of being cynical we ought to see this
positively. The labelling will create a competition among the
producers to produce halal products. If the products are not halal,
then the public will refuse to buy....(^^,)
_________________________________________________________________

Be careful in chOosing RestaUrant..

waaaahhhh...very2 tired..huhuhu..
but second post about halal labels must do today..Orite,just you all imaging about all restaurant at malaysia..Nowadays,thats not all rstaurant were concern to put halal label at their restaurant..hmm,i want to share with you about article just I read right now..about this title:'Be Careful In Choosing Restaurants, Muslims Told'..This article told about the situation of people choose their food in halal or not..Let's check it out this article....

Be Careful In Choosing Restaurants, Muslims Told
By Bru Direct
Oct 04, 2007, 11:14
Various kinds of restaurants have established themselves in the country.
Ranging from local to international cuisines and to chain of fast foods restaurants, consumers these days are being offered more choices.
Bruneians, comprisingly mostly of Muslims, were not keen to test their taste buds on different kinds of dishes.

Some people were not able to do this due to their consciousness about the food, doubting if it’s halal or not.

The Brunei Times interviewed an official from the 'Kawalan Makanan Halal' Section, under the Syariah Affairs Department, to clarify this matter from the Islamic perspective.

"The two most important things that a Muslim should consider is that the cook is a Muslim and the sources of the ingredients, as well as the meat, come from reliable sources that abide by the halal norms, such as the way the chicken is slaughtered should be according to the Islamic law and the food prepared as demanded by the law," said Zurina Salwa Hj Osman.

Zurina Salwa said that the authorities from the 'Kawalan Makanan Halal' section, under the Syariah Affairs Department, always hold regular series of inspections of the eating establishments throughout the country to determine whether food sold there is halal or not.

However, so far, the act for the halal certificate and the labels (Perintah Sijil Halal dan Label Halal) that they currently operate do not cover the complete range of meat products. Because only fresh meat is considered under this act.
"There would be a new act, known as the 'Perintah Sijil Halal dan Label Halal 2005' which would cover a lot more, including all the ingredients that they use, the utensils, and any processed and canned foods that they use, and by that time, actions can be taken," Zurina Salwa further explained.

She went on to reveal that this new act is scheduled to be enforced by October this year.

Prior to the enforcement of this act, the Ministry of Religious Affairs had organised a series of roadshows to the four districts last year, such as the one at the Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College, in Jalan Tutong.
The main objective of these roadshows was to introduce the act, especially to restaurants owners and to food processing companies.

I Lotus, a restaurant serving Thai dishes, as well as Chinese and local cuisines is accredited as a halal restaurant, as it has Muslim and non-Muslim chefs.
Owned by a Muslim local, the manager of the restaurant, who did not want to be named, said authorities from the Syariah Department had inspected their premises and declared the food, as well as their preparation and ingredients, as halal.
Another restaurant manager The Brunei Times spoke to said that they had put up the "Bukan Untuk Makanan Orang Islam" or "Not for Consumption by Muslims". However, one of the partners who also did not want to be named said that there are Muslims eating at their restaurant.

"All the ingredients used are halal, but the chef is not a Muslim," he said.
Zurina Salwa, explained that, in these cases, in which only one of the two requirements are fulfilled, it is considered to be "syubahah" which means, unclear whether the food is completely halal or haram.
"For those still in doubt about this matter, it is better not to eat at these establishments."

She further advised Muslims to be careful in choosing their food, and to always ensure that the sources are halal.
"If there is a 'Bukan Untuk Makanan Orang lslam' sign, it is better to leave and choose other places that do not have this sign," she cautioned.

HalAL LoGo MaLaYsiA..

Hello Everyone..=)..

This blog is all about halal labels at the restaurant.Before we discuss more about halal labels at restaurant.First,we must really know about halal logo that were provided of Malaysian government.So,we want to share to all of you about the trade description order (the Usage of Halal) 1975 and trade description order (food labeling) 1975.This information is important to all community know how crucial halal logo for our life.

Trade Description Order (The Usage of Halal) 1975 and Trade Description Order (Food Labelling) 1975
1.
“Halal”, “Ditanggung Halal” (Guaranteed Halal), “Makanan Islam” (Muslim Food) or similar statements shall mean halal as provided in the Syariah Law.
2.
“Syariah Law” is Islamic law according to the four main Mazhabs (denominations) – Shafie, Maliki, Hambali dan Hanafi as agreed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Conference of Rulers.
3.
“Halal”, “Ditanggung Halal” (Guaranteed Halal), “Makanan Islam” (Muslim Food) or similar statements when used to describe any food items will mean that the food item:
i.
Does not contain any parts from animals considered haram prohibited for consumption in Islamic Law, or are not slaughtered in accordance with the Islamic practice.
ii.
Does not contain any ingredients which are deemed unclean (najis) according to Islamic Law.
iii.
Are not prepared or processed using any utensils, machinery or tools, which are contaminated with items, considered unclean (najis) according to Islamic Law.
iv.
During preparation, processing or storage, did not touch or place near any items considered unclean (najis) and prohibited (haram) within the Islamic Law.

we take this information at http://www.gov.my
That's all for now..see you in another post..=)