MUI Never Set Wine Nabidz Halal

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) for Fatwa Asrorun Niam Sholeh emphasized that his party has never determined the halalness of thewine products produced by the Nabidz brand.

"According to MUI's guidelines and halal standards, MUI does not determine the halalness of products that use names that are associated with the haram. This is included in terms of taste, aroma, and packaging such as wine," said Asrorun Niam as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, July 26.

Previously, it was crowded in the social media world related to thewine products produced by the Nabidz brand. They claim to have obtained a halal certificate for awine product.

Niam explained that the MUI Fatwa Number 4 of 2003 concerning Standardization of Halal Fatwa states four criteria for the use of names and materials.

First, it is not permissible to consume and use the name and/or symbols of food/drinks that lead to finance and ignorance.

Second, it is not permissible to consume and use the names and/or symbols of food/drinks that lead to the names of objects/men that are forbidden, especially the babi dankhamr, except those that have been traded and are sure that they do not contain elements that are forbidden such as meatballs, noodles, bakwans, bappias, and bappao.

Third, it is not permissible to consume and use mixed ingredients for food/drinking components that cause taste/flavour of objects or animals that are forbidden such as instant noodles with pork flavor, flavour flares, and others.

Fourth, they are not allowed to consume food/drinks that use the names of food/drinks that are forbidden such as whiskey, brandy, beer, and others.

"Especially if the process involves fermented wine with yeast, exactly like the manufacture of awine," he said.

In addition, he said, what also needs attention, especially for beverage products, is alcohol or ethanol levels in drinks.

The MUI Fatwa Number 10 of 2018 concerning Food and Beverage Products Containing Alcohol / Etanol states that alcoholic beverages that fall into the category are beverages containing alcohol / ethanol (C2H5OH) at least 0.5 percent.

Alcoholic drinks that fall into the khamr category are unclean and the law is haram, small or large.

Based on the two fatwas, according to Niam, there are requirements that are not met in Nabidz products. First, related to the form of packaging and sensory products. Second, beverage products have gone through a series of processes so that ethanol testing is needed.

"Therefore, products like this should not be certified through the self-declare route," said Niam.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Halal Product Guarantee Administration Agency (BPJPH) of the Ministry of Religion, Aqil Irham, said that the name Nabidz did apply for a halal certificate and was registered in the Silal system. However, the product registered is not awine but fruit juice drink.

"Based on the data in the Silal system, we make sure that there are drink products with the Nabidz brand that have received a halal certificate from BPJPH. However, this product is not awine or red-wine, but a fruit juice drink product," said Aqil.