Food Compliance
Intelligence & Solutions

Malaysian Halal Food Regulation

Lennie Tao Last updated on: Dec 26, 2024

Definition

According to Trade Descriptions (Definition of Halal) Order 2011 and its amendment:

When food or goods are described as halal or are described in any other expression to indicate that the food or goods can be consumed or used by a Muslim, such expression means that the food or goods:

  1. neither is nor consist of or contains any part or matter of an animal that is prohibited by Hukum Syarak and fatwa* for a Muslim to consume or that has not been slaughtered in accordance with Hukum Syarak and fatwa;

  2. does not contain anything which is impure according to Hukum Syarak and fatwa;

  3. does not intoxicate according to Hukum Syarak and fatwa;

  4. does not contain any part of a human being or its yield which are not allowed by Hukum Syarak and fatwa;

  5. is not poisonous or hazardous to health;

  6. has not been prepared, processed or manufactured using any instrument that is contaminated with impure according to Hukum Syarak and fatwa; and

  7. has not in the course of preparing, processing or storing been in contact with, mixed, or in close proximity to any food that fails to satisfy paragraphs (a) and (b).

*Note: Hukum Syarak means Islamic Law. Fatwa generally refers to the legal opinion issued by any Musilim jurist in Malaysia on any controversial questions relating Hukum Syarak.

Competent Authority and Responsibilities

The regulatory body for Halal certification in Malaysia is known as JAKIM (The Halal Department Division under the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia), whose responsibility is to certify food, goods or service is halal.

Legal Framework

Besides abiding by the specific regulations on halal certification and requirements, halal food is also required to comply with general food regulations, such as Food Act 1983.

For a detailed summary of halal regulations issued by different authorities in Malaysia, please refer to ChemLinked article: Decoding the Regulatory Framework for Imported Halal Foods in Malaysia.

Halal Certification Requirements

halal-1.jpegMalaysian Halal Certification is an official document stating the Halal status of products and/or services. Applicable scope includes consumer goods, cosmetic, food products, beverages, food supplements, etc. Notably, halal certification is mandatory for all animal products (excluding pork), while for other product categories, it is highly advisable but not compulsory (Read more at Must Imported Products in Malaysia Be Halal Certified?). For halal-certified products, they can be marked with a specific logo as shown in the right. For halal certification steps, please refer to ChemLinked article: Steps to Obtain Halal Certification in Malaysia for Imported Foods.

A brief summary of halal requirements is as below.

1. Raw materials and ingredients

  • All the ingredients shall be halal and safe. 

  • The source of imported animal-based raw materials shall come from approved factories by JAKIM and the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS).

  • Raw materials, processing aids, product and menu must be listed in the application form.

2. Processing and transportation

  • The preparation, handling, processing, packaging, storage or transfer of products must be in compliance with the requirements under Islamic law and must adhere to the standards of Good Manufacturing Practice and Good Hygienic Practices in Malaysia.

  • No mixing between raw materials or products with non-halal sources, or those with uncertain halal status.

  • Transportation facility shall be for halal products only. 

3. Packaging and labeling

  • Every packaging label should be printed prominently, clearly and indelible.

  • Packing must contain the name of the product and the Malaysia Halal logo.

  • The Malaysia Halal logo cannot be used for product promotion in conjunction with non-Islamic religious festivals or together with non-Islamic emblem.

  • The packaging material shall not be made from materials which are classified as Najs. Najs means impure matters such as blood, urine and faeces. Under Islamic law, Najs will nullify prayer. 

4. Factory and food premises

  • Equipment used in the manufacturing of halal food products shall be free from Najs or any hazardous materials, and does not result in side effects to the products produced.

  • Non-halal food and beverages are not allowed to be brought into the factory compound.

  • Liquor and materials derived from liquor is strictly prohibited to be in the factory compound.

 ...

Export of Halal Food into Malaysia

1. Obtain the certificate from a qualified certification body 

  • All imported food that want to be marketed in Malaysia as halal food must

  1. obtain a Halal Certificate issued by JAKIM; or

  2. certified as Halal by the foreign halal certification body recognized by JAKIM (List of recognized foreign halal certification bodies).

  • The importer or manufacturer must mark the logo and/or the name of the said certification body on the food package.

  • With a recognized foreign Halal Certificate, distributors can immediately sell the food product with the halal logo from such recognized foreign body. 

2. Other requirements

For more details, please check our recommended free webinar:

* Global Food Compliance Service

We provide various market entry services to help stakeholders better understand exporting requirements, establish business and secure a competitive place to facilitate trade development.

 Covered Countries

China, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, United States, European Union, Australia, New Zealand etc.

Our Services

  • Food Ingredient Review

  • Label Review

  • Product Registration

  • Regulatory Consultation

  • Monitoring, Training and customized report

Please feel free to contact us via food@chemlinked.com if you need any help.

User Guide