4 BPJPH Explanations About Tuak, Beer, And Wine Drinks That Get Halal Certificates

Wine drink has a halal logo (Instagram screenshot)

JAKARTA - The names of "tuyul", "taak", "beer", and "wine" have recently gone viral on social media because they officially received halal certification from the Ministry of Religion's Halal Product Guarantee Administration (BPJPH). The viral news has caused controversy among the public.

For the circulation of this news, the Head of the BPJPH Halal Registration and Certification Center, Mamat Salamet Burhanudin, gave several explanations. Here are some of them.

First, we have to explain that the problem is related to product naming, and it is not a matter of halalness of the product. This means that the public does not need to doubt that products that have been certified halal are guaranteed to be halal," said Mamat Salamet in Jakarta, Tuesday (1/10/2024).

Because, he continued, halal certification has gone through the process and received a halal stipulation from the MUI Fatwa Commission or the Fatwa Committee for Halal Products according to the applicable mechanism.

"Secondly, the naming of halal products has actually been regulated by regulations through SNI 99004:2021 concerning general requirements for halal food. Also, MUI Fatwa Number 44 of 2020 concerning the Use of Product Names, Forms and Packaging That Can't Be Certified Halally," he explained.

The regulation confirms that business actors cannot apply for registration of halal certification of products under the name of a product that is contrary to Islamic law or contrary to applicable ethics and propriety in society.

Illustration of the halal logo (Doc. Wikipedia)

"But in reality there are still names of these products that get halal certificates, both those whose halal provisions are issued by the MUI Fatwa Commission and the Halal Product Fatwa Committee. This happens because each has different opinions regarding product naming. This is evidenced by our data in Sihalal.."

For example, products with names using the word 'wine' whose halal certificates are issued based on halal provisions from the MUI Fatwa Commission total 61 products, and 53 halal certificate products are issued based on the determination of halal from the Fatwa Committee. Another example, products with names using the word 'beer' whose halal certificates are issued based on the halal provisions of the MUI Fatwa Commission total 8 products. And 14 halal certificate products are issued based on the determination of halal from the Fatwa Committee.

"We also need to convey to products with names using these two words whose halal provisions from the MUI Fatwa Commission are products that have gone through examination and/or testing by LPH, with the highest number coming from LPPOM LPH with 32 products. The rest come from other institutions. " explained Mamat.

The data, he continued, reflects the fact that there are differences of opinion among scholars regarding product naming in the halal certification process. The difference is limited to whether or not the use of these names is allowed, but is not related to the halal aspect of the substance and the process, which has been confirmed to be halal.

This condition, according to the Head of the JPH Development and Supervision Center, Dzikro, is still within the scope of the process of organizing halal certification services based on the order of the implementation law carried out by a wide service ecosystem and involved many actors.

For this reason, BPJPH invites all parties to sit down together, discuss and equalize perceptions, so that there is no commotion in the community regarding product names. So that people do not hesitate to consume halal certified products because they have guaranteed halalness. " said Dzikro.

BPJPH also appealed and reminded all parties about the obligation to carry out the first phase of halal certification which will take effect after October 17, 2024, especially for food and beverage products, slaughter results, and slaughter services.

"It's a good idea, currently the energy of all Halal Product Guarantee stakeholders with the community and business actors is used to ensure the success of halal certificate obligations which are getting closer." he concluded.