Why is Halal Certification for Fish Products Still Important?

What is Halal?

Halal is an Arabic term meaning “permissible” or “lawful” in Islam. In the context of food and other products, halal refers to something that is permissible for consumption or use by Muslims according to Islamic law. The concept of halal originates from the Quran and Hadith, which are the primary sources of Islamic teachings, providing guidance on what foods and drinks are permissible and what are forbidden for Muslims.

What is Halal Certification?

Halal certification is the process of ensuring that a product or service meets the criteria set by Islamic law. This means that the product is considered permissible for consumption or use by Muslims. Here are some important things to know about halal certification:

• Basis: The basis of halal certification comes from the Quran and Hadith.
• Criteria: Halal products must meet several criteria, such as:
  1. Does not contain ingredients that are forbidden in Islam, such as pork, alcohol and blood.
  2. Processed using clean equipment and methods that comply with Islamic law.
  3. Produced by manufacturers who apply Islamic principles.
• Certification Institution: Halal certification is usually carried out by a halal certification institution recognized by the Islamic religious authority in a country. In Indonesia, halal certification is issued by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and BPJPH of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.
• Benefits: Halal certification provides assurance to Muslim consumers that the products they consume or use have met sharia criteria. This is important for Muslims who want to carry out their worship properly.

Fish is Certainly Halal, Why Must Halal Certification Still Be Necessary?

In general, fish are categorized as halal animals in Islam based on the Quran and Hadith which explain that scaly and free-swimming sea animals are halal to consume. However, there are several conditions in which fish can be haram:

1. Contamination: Fish that is halal but comes into contact with haram materials, such as alcohol, animal carcasses, or blood, can become contaminated and become haram.
2. Processing Process: Unhygienic fish processing or using haram ingredients can also make fish haram.

For this reason, halal certification for fishery products remains important.

The Importance of Halal Certification for Fish Products

1. Halal Assurance: Halal certification provides assurance to Muslim consumers that the fish they consume has been processed in a manner that complies with Islamic law, thus avoiding contamination from haram ingredients. This is important for Muslims who want to ensure that the food they consume complies with Islamic law.
2. Building Consumer Trust: Halal certification builds Muslim consumers’ trust in the fish products they purchase. Muslim consumers will be more confident in purchasing fish that has a halal certificate because they are confident that the fish has been processed in a manner that complies with Islamic law.
3. Increasing Product Competitiveness: Halal certification can increase the competitiveness of fish products in domestic and international markets. In this era of globalization, many consumers pay attention to the halalness of a product before purchasing it. By having a halal certificate, Indonesian fish products will be more in demand by Muslim consumers around the world.
4. Ensuring Safe and Healthy Consumption: The halal certification process ensures that fish is processed in a hygienic and safe manner for consumption, thus providing additional assurance for non-Muslim consumers as well.

Example of Fish with Halal Certification: Regal Springs Indonesia

Regal Springs Indonesia is an example of a fish producer that has received halal certification. Tilapia fish from Regal Springs Indonesia is guaranteed halal and safe for consumption by all groups, including Muslims. Its halal status can be checked on the BPJPH website of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. The entire tilapia cultivation process from Regal Springs Indonesia, from upstream to downstream, is guaranteed to be in accordance with halal standards, so that consumers can enjoy healthy and safe fish.

Conclusion

Although fish are generally considered halal, halal certification remains important to provide assurance of halalness, build consumer trust, increase product competitiveness, and ensure fish consumption in accordance with Islamic law. By choosing fish that has halal certification, such as tilapia from Regal Springs Indonesia, consumers can be sure that they are consuming a product that is safe and in accordance with Islamic principles.