3 crucial steps to harmonise halal standards across regions
Halal food trade faces challenges in regional, much less global, standardisation – experts outline three key steps to move toward a unified system.
Halal regulations in different markets may appear similar on the surface, but in actuality the procedures and requirements for certification can differ greatly from authority to authority, especially when it comes to food.
Each country has their own authority in this area – e.g. Malaysia’s Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Organising Body (BPJPH) and the United Arab Emirates’ Emirates Authority for Standardization & Metrology (ESMA) all cover halal governance in their respective markets.
The differences in regulatory requirements by all these different authorities often lead to challenges for halal food firms looking to sell their products in more than one market, as getting halal certified in one country does not guarantee certification in others – and each application also means another individual round of time and money spent.
As such, the halal food industry in general has long desired alignment, if not harmonisation, of halal industry standards and certifications across the various regions in order to improve the efficiency of trade.
Nutri-Score ‘most effective’ nutrition label for Saudi consumers
Nutri-Score has outperformed other internationally recognised labelling systems in a Saudi context, a new study has confirmed
The front-of-pack nutrition label (FoPL) scheme was determined to be the ‘most effective’ for Saudi consumers, in a new study led by researchers at King Fahad Medical City and Universiti Sains Malaysia.
The findings, based on a year-long trial involving more than 2,500 adults in Riyadh, suggest that Nutri-Score’s color-coded design provides clearer nutritional guidance than numerical or warning-based alternatives, helping participants make healthier food choices across a variety of product categories.
CG Foods eyes Middle East, Europe for instant noodle entry
Nepal’s CG Foods is pitching Wai Wai instant noodles as versatile snack and meal alternatives, eyeing entry into Middle East and European markets
“Currently, we enjoy strong demand and consumer support from India’s East and Northeast regions, which collectively drive 50–60% of our revenue. Additionally, as we expand our portfolio and strengthen distribution channels, I am optimistic about scaling expansion in North, West, and South India, as well as in South Asian, Eastern European, and Middle Eastern markets,” added Managing Director of CG Corp Global Chaudhary.
Indonesia commits to easier halal certification for food SMEs
Indonesia aims to simplify halal certification for food SMEs, boosting global competitiveness and ensuring inclusive access for small businesses
Since October 2024, Indonesia has enforced regulations mandating that all local and imported products being traded in the country which are not on a pre-approved Positive List must be halal-certified, including foods and beverages.
However, this has not yet been implemented for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) due to various complications. The anticipated date of enforcement will be in October 2026.
Big Food Big Moves: Who’s next in the big CPG shake-up
Nestlé, Ferrero, Mars, Unilever and Kraft Heinz are reshaping the food and beverage landscape with bold M&A moves. But what’s next?
It’s not unusual for major players in food and beverage to buy, sell, and merge with others in the industry. It happens all the time. But rarely have we seen such significant shifts in such a short space of time. And all the big names are involved.
Just look at the last 12 months. Ferrero completed its acquisition of cereal brand WK Kellogg, Mars, Inc confirmed plans to buy snack brand Kellanova, The Kraft Heinz Company announced plans to split, and Unilever decided to offload its entire ice cream business.
