Reading Material Critical Points: from Source to Document

Many business actors think that halal critical points are only about materials that are clearly animal-derived. In reality, even materials that appear neutral can harbor issues. The name on the label rarely tells the story. What matters is the origin of the material, its production process, and traceable evidence.

This article dissects four examples of materials that often appear in halal certification discussions. The goal is not to judge products, but to demonstrate a way of thinking that can be applied to other materials.

Why the name of a material is not enough

The halal status of a material is not determined by its name. Two materials with the same name can come from different sources. Pepsin, for example, is a protein-digesting enzyme commonly used in the cheese and pharmaceutical industries. This material can come from pig stomach or cattle stomach. Without information on the source, its status depends on the source.

The same applies to vanilla extract. This is a natural vanilla flavoring whose industry standard uses ethanol as an extraction solvent. This alcohol solvent is what puts it in the alcohol-derived category, not the vanilla itself.

Therefore, the first question in tracing a material is not “what is this material”, but “where does this material come from and how is it processed”.

Four materials, four patterns of issues

1. Pepsin: an invisible animal source

Pepsin is used in cheese production, digestive enzyme supplements, and some pharmaceutical products. The issue is purely the origin of the enzyme. Alternatives are available: pepsin from halal-certified cattle stomach, or microbial protease enzymes as a substitute. Tracing it means requesting written information from the supplier about the species of origin of the enzyme, not just the trade name.

2. Vanilla extract: the solvent that determines

Vanilla extract is used in cakes, puddings, ice cream, and premium coffee or chocolate drinks. The critical point is the ethanol used to extract the vanilla. Available alternatives include vanilla powder, synthetic vanillin, or halal-certified water/glycerin-solvent vanilla extract. Tracing here requires information about the type of solvent, not just the origin of the vanilla.

3. Mechanically separated meat (MSM): risk of mixing

MSM is meat remaining on bones that is extracted by machine. This material is used in sausages, nuggets, meatballs, and economically priced processed meat products. The risk is not in the mechanical process, but in the possibility of mixing meat from various types of animals. The alternative is processed meat products with a guarantee of a dedicated halal production line and a certificate from a certified slaughterhouse (RPH). Tracing it means asking about the origin of the carcass and the separation of production lines.

4. Perfume and fragrance materials: alcohol and musk

Cosmetic fragrances generally have a high alcohol solvent and may contain animal musk. This material appears in perfumes, spray deodorants, and scented body care products. Alternatives are alcohol-free fragrance or halal-certified synthetic musk. Tracing requires information about the type of solvent and the origin of the musk.

How to trace: four repeatable steps

From the four examples above, there is a common pattern. Here are steps that can be applied to any material.

1. Identify the risk category. Determine whether the material belongs to the animal group, alcohol-derived group, or another category. This category guides the questions that need to be asked.
2. Request source information. For animal materials, ask about the species of origin. For alcohol-derived materials, ask about the type of solvent. Do not stop at the trade name.
3. Check supporting documents. Halal certificate from the supplier, written statement from the manufacturer, or documents of material origin. These documents form the basis of the material registry in the halal product assurance system.
4. Record and keep. The results of the tracing should be recorded neatly. When an audit or inspection is conducted, these records show that the tracing was actually carried out.

The role of regulations and institutions

The legal framework for halal product assurance in Indonesia is regulated in Law Number 33 of 2014. This law regulates the obligation for halal certification, the establishment of BPJPH (Halal Product Assurance Agency), the role of LPH (Halal Inspection Agency), and the authority of MUI (Indonesian Ulema Council) in determining the halalness of products. Its implementation is further regulated through Government Regulation Number 42 of 2024 on the Implementation of Halal Product Assurance, which replaces PP 39/2021.

The types of products that must be halal-certified are stipulated through Minister of Religious Affairs Decree Number 748 of 2021, which was later amended by KMA 944/2024. Meanwhile, accreditation of LPH refers to SNI ISO/IEC 17065:2012, which regulates impartiality, confidentiality, personnel competence, and complaint and appeal management.

It should be emphasized: the determination of halalness is the authority of the MUI Fatwa Commission or the Halal Product Fatwa Committee. Certificates are only issued by BPJPH. Therefore, the results of material tracing are not a substitute for the halal determination. They are raw material for the inspection process.

Closing

Tracing material critical points is not a one-time job. It demands habits: asking down to the source, requesting documents, and recording. To facilitate the recording and management of SJPH (Halal Product Assurance System) criteria—including material registry and critical points—IndoHalal.id provides an SJPH platform that business actors can use.