ANSWER

Products and raw materials based on collagen and gelatin are categorised as one of the critical products or raw materials of animal origin. Therefore, halal certificates from JAKIM-recognised foreign halal certification bodies and certificate or Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Analysis reports are mandatory documents that must be submitted when applying for halal certification in Malaysia.

In relation to that, Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) as the coordinator with the State Islamic Religious Departments (JAIN) agreed that applicant(s) and holder(s) must follow the standard mechanism for sampling collagen and gelatin-based products and raw materials to verify the source of collagen or gelatin of the products.

These measures will apply to the applicants and SPHM holders in food industry sector who are directly involved in the production / repackaging / distributors / importers / sole agents of products and raw materials based on collagen and gelatin.

This new requirement came into full force from 2 January 2021 onwards.

Reference

Halal Malaysia Official Portal. (2021). Notification related to packaging changes & product labeling to the industry [Press Release]. Retrieved from Halal Malaysian Portal