KUALA LUMPUR: Despite the abolishment of the approved permit (AP) or import quota for some food items as recently announced by the government, any entry of halal food is still subject to Paragraph 5 (1) of the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011.

       The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia’s (Jakim) Malaysia Halal Council Secretariat said the paragraph stipulates that all imported food and goods marketed in Malaysia cannot be described as halal unless they comply with the requirements of paragraph 4 or are certified as halal by a foreign halal certification body recognised by Jakim.

       "To ensure the halal status of imported food, Jakim has recognised 84 foreign halal certification bodies from 46 countries around the world.

       "They are responsible for overseeing and controlling the implementation of the halal system in abattoirs approved to export meat to Malaysia and industries that export their products into the country,” the secretariat said in a statement on Sunday (June 12).

       On May 18, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the government's decision not to impose AP to import food products into the country with immediate effect to ensure adequate food supply in the country.

       The secretariat said the international industries that exported their products to Malaysia also understood the country's strict halal requirements and standards. They also realised that their ability to comply with Malaysian halal requirements and standards would serve as a benchmark that their products could be accepted as halal internationally.

       It also said that the halal certification issuance is in accordance with the set standards and through strict screening and review at every level. - Bernama