WHF Urges Govt To Set Clear Policy On Halal Traceability System

Bernama -- The World Halal Forum (WHF) has urged the government to set a clear policy on Halal traceability system for the industry to secure consumers' confidence, its deputy chairman Nordin Abdullah said Tuesday.

He said traceability was linked to food safety and was a high priority issue for consumers in the country and abroad.

Recently, all local companies that export seafood to the European Union (EU) had been told to stop shipments until they comply with EU health standards, he told reporters after chairing the WHF CEO Roundtable here Tuesday.

"To be a leader in Halal food production and Halal hub for trade, we should be the best in Halal understanding as well as in traceability," he said.

He said the lack of traceability in the supply chain was a major factor hindering foreign market access for local Halal products.

"Traceability will become crucial especially for companies looking to penetrate sophisticated global market, whether as manufacturers or service providers," he said.

Meanwhile, Germany-based traceability solution provider, TraceTracker AG which has developed a Halal traceability system expects its service will be available by the fourth quarter of this year.

The company's chairman, Knut Jorstad, who was here for the WHF CEO Roundtable said the system will provide a complete traceability solution that will look into all areas of halal food production including product source evidence, production process, slaughterhouses and food premises according to the Halal Development Corporation's standard guidelines.