Indonesia’s Mandatory Halal Labeling Leaves Firms in Disarray
- Food, beverage companies required to seek halal labeling
- Millions of firms without certificates as guidelines unclear
Customers browse for goods at a supermarket in Karawaci, Indonesia.
Photographer: Dimas Ardian/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Indonesia is all set to make halal labeling mandatory for consumer products and services from this week, but the high cost of securing the license and absence of clear guidelines mean millions of local producers are still without certificates.
The compulsory labeling will first apply to the food and beverage products and services from Oct. 17 before being gradually expanded to include drugs, cosmetics and other consumer goods, according to the nation’s Halal Product Guarantee Agency. But a large number of small and medium companies are struggling to meet the rules without detailed technical guidelines, the Indonesian Food and Beverage Producers Association said.