Exporting halal products demands traceability of materials down to their source. Several critical points escape attention because they are hidden behind additives and processes.
Indonesia's ambition to place halal products in the global market cannot be sustained by certificates alone. On the industry side, the real challenge lies in tracing materials down to their source. A number of critical points are often missed because they are hidden behind additives, enzymes, or solvents that are not always prominently listed on labels.
The halal certification obligation is rooted in Law Number 33 of 2014 on Halal Product Assurance. This regulation governs the establishment of BPJPH (the Halal Product Assurance Agency), the role of LPH (Halal Inspection Agencies), and MUI's authority in determining the halal status of products. The latest amendment through Law Number 6 of 2023 simplified the certification process, introduced a halal declaration (self-declare) scheme for UMK (micro and small enterprises), and paved the way for the Halal Product Fatwa Committee.
At the technical level, the Head of BPJPH Decree Number 57 of 2021 on the Criteria for the Halal Product Assurance System serves as the primary reference for implementing SJPH (the Halal Product Assurance System) on the business side. Its five criteria cover commitment and responsibility, materials, halal product processes, products, and monitoring and evaluation. This decree has been amended by Kepka 20/2023. Meanwhile, the Head of BPJPH Decree Number 78 of 2025 on Guidelines for Accreditation of Halal Inspection Agencies sets out requirements, Pratama and Utama qualifications, scope of competence, costs, application flow, surveillance, and witness assessments, referring to SNI ISO/IEC 17065:2012.
In industrial practice, several materials are classified as risky because their status depends on their source. The following are often missed in thorough inspections.
This material serves as a versatile humectant. Glycerin can be derived from halal palm oil or from haram pork fat. Its use is widespread, from toothpaste, syrup medicines, cosmetics, candies, moist cakes, to food preservatives. The alternative is halal-certified vegetable glycerin, generally from palm oil or coconut. For industry, what is needed is not merely a supplier's statement, but documents that trace the material's origin down to the manufacturer.
Isinglass is a clarifying agent made from fish swim bladders. It is commonly used in beer and wine, as well as some packaged juices. Although it comes from fish, its status still needs verification because the process and supporting materials can affect it. Vegetable alternatives such as bentonite or carrageenan can be considered for non-alcoholic beverage products.
Ethanol serves as a solvent and preservative. Its status depends on its source, level, and purpose of use. Its uses include solvents for flavorings and colorings, vanilla extract, fermented products such as soy sauce, tapai, and tempoyak, to liquid medicines. The alternative is non-alcoholic vegetable solvents or synthetic/industrial ethanol with source and level documents verified by LPH. This is where documents become decisive, not assumptions.
Rennet is a milk-coagulating enzyme. Animal rennet comes from the stomach of calves that must be slaughtered according to sharia. The alternative is microbial rennet from fungi or molds, or halal-certified genetically engineered rennet (FPC). This material is widely used in hard and semi-hard cheeses such as cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, and gouda, which are often raw materials for other processed products.
For export-oriented industries, the critical points above are not merely a matter of domestic compliance. Destination countries have documentation requirements that are not always identical. Traceability of materials down to the source, supported by consistent supplier documents, becomes the foundation that enables products to pass inspection in the destination market. A weakness in one link in the chain can undermine the entire claim.
Therefore, SJPH management does not stop at collecting material certificates. An up-to-date material registry, mapping of critical points, and periodic internal audits are required. This approach aligns with the five SJPH criteria, particularly in the aspects of materials, halal product processes, and monitoring and evaluation.
It should be emphasized that the determination of halal status is the authority of the MUI Fatwa Commission or the Halal Product Fatwa Committee. Certificates are only issued by BPJPH. This article does not definitively declare a product halal or haram, but rather maps the areas that require attention and documentation.
For industries that want to tidy up their material registry, map critical points, and prepare internal audits before external inspection, IndoHalal.id provides an SJPH platform that helps manage all criteria in a single application.
Halal certification is not merely a domestic obligation. For export-oriented industries, SJPH (Halal Product Assurance System) becomes part of document readiness and ingredient traceability.
Indonesia's halal product exports depend on ingredient traceability. Critical points such as carmine, taurine, lecithin, and amino acids must be managed with clear supplier documentation.
Indonesia's halal product exports depend on ingredient and document consistency. Several critical ingredient points are often overlooked by industry players.
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Jawaban konsultan bersifat panduan teknis. Penetapan kehalalan produk adalah kewenangan Komisi Fatwa MUI atau Komite Fatwa Produk Halal, dan sertifikat halal hanya diterbitkan oleh BPJPH.
