DTI encourages local businesses to pursue halal certification

MANILA, Philippines — Small and medium-sized businesses in the Philippines should get halal certification for their local products, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said on Thursday.

“Sa mga (For the) food fair exhibitors, consider that your products be certified halal and watch your market grow,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said in a speech during the 2019 National Food Fair in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

Halal certified products are considered healthier because they have no alcohol content or pork or pork-derived ingredients.

Lopez said halal should not be solely associated with the Muslim religion as they are recognized as “clean and healthy.”

“Halal should not be associated with the religion of Muslim. Halal is an extra certification or affirmation that the product is clean, pure and healthy,” the Trade Secretary said in English and Filipino.

“It is a lifestyle product,” he added. “Ganun ang perception na possible attributes na ididikit sa mga halal products (That’s how halal products should be perceived).”

Halal means “permissible or prescribed by Islam,” but it is also a standard of quality for non-Muslim consumers.

There is a growing market in Singapore and Muslim tourists for halal products, Lopez noted.

“They are mainstreaming ibig sabihin ginagawang available ang grocery store na puro halal ang nandun na ginagawang available for the products. Ganun kalakas ang market not only in Singapore, pati mga turista na nandun,” he said.

(They are mainstreaming, so this means it is going to be more available in grocery stores. That’s how big the market is not only in Singapore but also for tourists.) /ee

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