The Meaning Of Independence From LPPOM MUI's Point Of View: Free To Choose Halal Products

Halal Illustration

JAKARTA - The Institute for the Study of Food, Drugs and Cosmetics of the Indonesian Ulema Council (LPPOM MUI) stated that the freedom to choose halal products is a form of independence in Indonesia.

"Choosing halal products is a form of independence in Indonesia. Especially if you look at the number of Indonesians who are predominantly Muslim", said Executive Director of LPPOM MUI Muti Arintawati, in a written statement received in Jakarta, Tuesday, quoted by ANTARA.

She explained that the need for halal products began with the outbreak of pork fat cases in Indonesia in 1988. This story actually emphasizes that choosing halal products is a form of independence in Indonesia.

The government then responded to the concerns of consumers of halal products through the rule of law, through Law Number 33 of 2014 concerning Halal Product Guarantee (UU JPH). Article 4 of the JPH Law states that every product that enters, circulates, and is traded in Indonesia must be certified halal.

"To better interpret independence, LPPOM MUI invites all people to further ignite the spirit of consuming halal products", she said.

As of August 2021, data from the Halal Inspection Agency for the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Study Institute of the Indonesian Ulema Council (LPH LPPOM MUI) reported that there were 249.032 halal products with 6.358 halal certificates from 4.755 companies circulating in Indonesia.

This number is an accumulation of 35 product categories from all business actors, ranging from micro-enterprises to giant companies. Muti is optimistic that this number will continue to grow in line with the greater and stricter government enactment of mandatory halal in Indonesia.

"Of course, the increase in the number of halal products is also inseparable from the role of consumers in Indonesia. With the higher consumer awareness in consuming halal products, the demand for halal products will also increase. That way, business actors will be encouraged to carry out halal certification", she said.

As a halal inspection agency, LPPOM MUI is conducting several programs to accelerate the halal certification process in order to comply with the provisions of Government Regulation (PP) Number 39 of 2021 concerning the Implementation Time of Halal Certification.

In Articles 72 and 73, there are provisions for the halal certification process time for domestic business actors for 15 days with a tolerance period of 10 days (total: 25 days). Meanwhile, the halal certification process for foreign business actors takes 15 days with a tolerance of 15 days (30 days in total).

"Let's create our freedom, especially in choosing halal products in Indonesia. You can start by getting used to checking the halal products before consumption", she said.