MUSLIMS in Zamboanga del Sur can now get a taste of the three processed foods which were recently halal certified, meaning such foodstuffs are permissible to use or eat, according to Islamic law.
Halal is an Arabic word that means permissible or lawful. It is the opposite of the Arabic word Haram, which means forbidden or prohibited.
Elvis Dablo, halal trade development program point person, identified the bottled milkfish product Bangus Pinoy and sardines Yllana food products, both based in Tiguma, this city, and Ogis Lechon Manok Dressing Plant in Molave as the three products that were certified halal.
A fourth, a cereal food maker called Nutribooster Food Phils., which is based in Balangasan District, is still in the process of complying the halal standard.
These products, said Dablo, has received the DTI–Bureau of Product Standards issued Philippine National Standards (PNS) 2067:2008, a standard which provides for the general guidelines on the preparation, production and processing of halal food including storage and handling.
Dablo added that because of the PNS 2067:2008, the said products can now gain entry into to the world halal market which is currently a $580 billion industry where it is estimated that 70 percent of Muslims worldwide follow halal food standards.
For her part, DTI Provincial Director Marichu Malate-Atay said that halal certification is one trend in food safety, a system of globally accepted food safety assurance guidelines and standards in manufacturing practice which will attest that such food products are processed packed and transported according to Shariah requirements and in accordance with the PNS 2067:2008.
Atay also acknowledged the effort of DTI Assistant Regional Director and DTI National Coordinator on Halal Initiatives, Sitti Amina Jain, who helped pushed for the development of the halal industry in the region and in the whole country.
She said that with the proliferation of food-borne illnesses sourced from production to consumption, halal-based food safety should be considered not only by Muslims but by other people as well.
Atay concluded that DTI will gladly help through seminars and workshops in linking halal certifiers with food firms who want their products halal certified.
Pagadian City has a halal consumers association headed by DILG Provincial Director Abcede Asjali while the whole country has an estimated Muslim population of 5 million.
REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA & JONG CADION