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Mintel: 13% of Asia-Pacific Product Launches Carry Halal Claim

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With food accounting for nearly two-thirds of business in the global halal economy, there has been a flurry of new product activity in Asia-Pacific.

According to market intelligence agency Mintel, 13% of all product launches in the region have carried the “halal” claim since 2012, with Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand the top destinations in this arena.

Among the most prominent recent Islam-observant product launches tracked by Mintel has been Nissin’s Masuya-brand spicy seafood-flavoured Gekikara Ramen instant noodle, which has gone on sale in Indonesia. The extra-hot instant noodle is halal-certified and retails in a large portion 120g pack.

Also launched in Indonesia, the world’s biggest Muslim-majority country which seen a quarter of all Asia-Pacific new-product activity over the last five years, has been Family Rice’s Nasi Liwet fragrance rice. The halal certified product retails in a 500g pack that serves six portions.
In India, which is home to 172m Muslims according to the last census, Global Gourmet’s Bombay Bites jalapeño and cheese samosa was a notable halal launch. The vegetarian pastry triangles feature a green pepper and cheese filling, are halal certified, and retail in a 240g pack.
 Thailand, where 15% of new product launches have been halal in the last five years, has seen the introduction of Kang Goong by Okusno, a Japanese curry-flavoured shrimp chins snack. This claims to be high in calcium and low in sodium and chitosan. The halal certified product retails in a 17g pack.
Also a notable arrival, Jin Lv Cheng Ai De Lai Si’s ice cream-flavoured yogurt’s arrival in China claims to be made using milk sourced from its own pasture, and is halal certified. This natural product retails in a 120g pack. Though only 1.6% of its population is Muslim, China now accounts for 9% of all Asia-Pacific halal launches, according to Mintel.
Originally published on www.foodnavigator-asia.com

UAE Free Trade Zones Boost Competitiveness

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DUBAI —  The UAE’s free trade zones are using advanced information management tools to drive the doubling of the global free trade zone GDP, experts announced Monday.

Globally, the contribution of free trade zones to the Islamic Economy is set to double to $117 billion by 2021, according to a recent report by researchers Salaam Gateway. The UAE hosts 4 of the world’s top 10 free trade zone cities for the Islamic Economy.

Industry-watchers agree the new Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone is showing global best practices in using digital transformation to support its more than 13,000 companies.

“Digital transformation is vital for UAE free trade zones to drive the country’s economic growth. Using the latest information management solutions, trade zones can deliver digital services to boost the business competitiveness of small businesses,” said Andrew Calthorpe, CEO at the free trade zone consultancy Condo Protego.

In the UAE, Condo Protego has seen strong success on driving digital transformation for one of the region’s largest free trade zones. By replacing legacy infrastructure with automated software-defined and scale-out infrastructure, the free trade zone can publish its own business applications and move closer to cloud and mobile app delivery.

“Using cloud and mobility information management solutions, free trade zone businesses can gain a level playing field with large enterprises.
Businesses can incorporate faster and more easily, better manage sales and supply chain, and enhance their ability to better meet customer needs,” added Calthorpe.

Among UAE free trade zones, Condo Protego is seeing strong demand for solutions such as Dell EMC hyper-converged infrastructure, and Dell EMC software-defined storage such as ScaleIO, ECS scale-out storage, and Isilon network attached storage.

Originally published on www.saudigazette.com.sa

AMAF Calls the Public to Support Food Aid for Refugees

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The campaign, lined up to run until after Eid Al Fitr, will set up a podium, featuring the replica of a refugee camp and an interactive screen projecting a tent city with a line of children waiting for food, at The Dubai Mall.

 The Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF) has urged the public to contribute toward its annual Ramadan campaign for the Salma humanitarian relief programme which provides halal food to victims of wars and natural disasters worldwide.

The campaign, lined up to run until after Eid Al Fitr, will set up a podium, featuring the replica of a refugee camp and an interactive screen projecting a tent city with a line of children waiting for food, at The Dubai Mall.

The Salma team will circulate donation boxes and flyers among visitors and professionals working in TECOM Group’s communities including Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Sports City, Dubai Design District, Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai Science Park.

Tayyeb Al Rais, secretary-general of AMAF, said the campaign will help promote the Salma programme and collect donations. “The Salma programme closely monitors the impact of wars and disasters worldwide.”

Unfortunately, the number of refugees globally continues to surge, with children constituting 51 per cent of the total, he said. “From 2015 to 2016, more than 73,000 people have become victims of conflicts and natural disasters in the Islamic world.”

The UN’s latest data shows that more than 700 million people currently live in areas prone to disasters, with the number expected to reach one billion by 2030. These statistics drive us to expand our aid coverage to new countries, he disclosed.

“Supporting the displaced people across the globe through providing food aid, the Salma programme clearly testifies that the endowment model is a viable solution to the world’s humanitarian relief needs.

“In the past three years, the programme helped save thousands of lives through supplying more than 455,000 halal meals and distributing 50 tons of meat to people in Palestine, Yemen, Jordan, Sudan, Tajikistan, the Philippines, and countries of West Africa.”

According to latest UN reports, 65.3 million people across the globe are currently displaced due to wars and natural disasters, including 21.3 million who are classified as refugees. The conflicts are forcing 34,000 people to flee their homes every day, Al Rais elaborated.

“The initiative is executed in collaboration with Emirates Red Crescent, UN’s World Food Programme, Dubai Charity Association, Dar Al Ber and Dubai International Humanitarian City.”

The government and private sector entities, as well as individual donors, help ensure the continuation and expansion of the programme through securing sustainable financial resources, he said. “Donations to the Salma Humanitarian Relief Programme can be made through the website www.salmaaid.com or via text message.”

Originally published on www.khaleejtimes.com

Halal Sector Key Topic at International Economic Summit

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The ninth International Economic Summit between Russia and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries started on Friday in Kazan, Tatarstan, with the UAE represented by a senior delegation chaired by Dr Rashid bin Ahmed bin Fahad, Minister of State.

The summit, which concludes today, began with a session entitled ‘Halal Industry’, which addressed the growing international demand for halal products and services. In his speech, Dr Bin Fahad stated that the Islamic economic sector is among the fastest-developing sectors in the world and has become an integral part of the international economy, especially after the world financial crisis and the desire for safe investments and economic activities with the added value of social development, which are the foundations of the Islamic economic structure.

He clarified that the halal industry is one of the most important parts of this vital sector, as the international demand for halal products has witnessed rapid growth after reaching a value of more than $2.3 trillion in 2015, according to OIC reports. He added that the food and beverage industry has the largest share of this industry, dominating with 67 per cent of total trade in halal products with a value of $1.4 trillion. This number is expected to rise to around $1.6 trillion at the beginning of 2020.

He then highlighted the UAE’s leading experience in the field of the Islamic economy and the halal industry, while clarifying that the country has succeeded, under directives of its wise leadership, in establishing a healthy and integrated system for the Islamic economy.

He stated that the UAE has taken the lead by launching initiatives to promote qualitative developments in the Islamic economy, including the ‘Dubai: Capital of Islamic Economy’ initiative and establishing the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre and many other major projects and programmes, which represent an engine for achieving international prosperity in this field.

He added that with regards to the halal industry, the country is proud of its initiatives, which are unique internationally, represented in the International Halal Accreditation Forum, which was launched last year as an independent non-government network that provides an international umbrella for the consistent application of unified mechanisms for standardising the specifications of halal products from the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries, a subsidiary of the OIC.

Despite being recently formed, the forum included the participation of accreditation authorities from over 21 countries, which is expected to expand to more than 40 countries during the coming years, who contributed to facilitating international trade in halal products, elevating its industries, protecting its consumers from around the world and supporting and encouraging developing countries to establish developed systems of halal accreditation.

Dr Bin Fahad stressed that the increasing interest in the halal sector in the country comes from its strong connection with the field of industry and the trading of food products, considered the most attractive investments with a share of 31 per cent of overall industrial investments in the country, adding that the value of the UAE’s trade in food products in 2015 reached around $25.3 billion, and $18 billion in the first nine months of 2016.

He further added that the country has led the Arab world in the export of food products in 2015, with a percentage of close to 30 per cent of the total exports of Arab countries, and second place in imports with a percentage of 18 per cent. This gives a clear indication that the UAE is one of the most important regional destinations in the trading and investments in the halal food sector, opening wider fields of co-operation with various trading partners, especially in this important international event.

Originally published on http://www.khaleejtimes.com

Malaysian Incubator Signs Deal to Boost China’s Halal Exports

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A Malaysian technology and energy incubator has agreed to collaborate with companies in Hong Kong and China to produce and market halal-certified foods internationally.

In a stock market filing, Asia Bioenergy Technologies said its Asiabio Capital subsidiary had signed a memorandum of understanding with YRZC International, Shan Xi Hong Hui Food (SXHHF) and Shan Dong Wang Jia Yuan Zi Halal Food Brewing (SDWJYXHFB) last week to “establish collaboration and explore opportunities to develop, produce and export halal-certified food products to the global marketplace.”

The agreement slots into China’s “One Road One Belt” economic policy, which aims to see 65 countries across Asia, Africa and Europe linked commercially by land and sea—albeit with a halal spin.

“This signifies our intention [to build] physical support and infrastructure for a halal food and product hub in China,” said AsiaBio Capital’s David Chen Kon Fook.

“We have identified YRZC as our exclusive business development agent for such a purpose, and aim to tap into the expansive network via our diverse incubatees,” he added.

One of these, NetX Holdings, recently announced its intention to build a similar e-commerce halal marketplace in Hangzhou, having acquired a controlling stake in China-based Flavours of Malaysia, which markets speciality Malaysian products in the Far East.

Flavours of Malaysia will establish new fulfilment centres in Hangzhou which will “conduct research and development on Chinese national acceptance of Malaysian products and to use the research findings to acclimatise the product to suit the local taste buds,” NetX said in a statement.

 Under the terms of the latest agreement, Asiabio Capital will act as a halal-certified “channeling centre” and regulatory liaison body for product development and quality, while YRZC of Hong Kong, which is involved in a number of diversified fields from television production to brand marketing and promotion, has been appointed as an exclusive business development agent in China.

Together, these companies will take SDWJYXHFB and SXHHF products and apply for Halal-certified licences from the Malaysian halal regulator, Jakim.

SDWJYZHFB, located in Shandong, China, is mainly a halal food brewing company with jujube vinegar as its main product.

Shaanxi Weinan City-based SXHHF, meanwhile, operates in baked goods, sesame seeds, bakery flours and sugar production.

“All parties will carry out research and development on the new product lines which will be integrated with both Chinese Culture and Islamic religious doctrine in order to create a brand which is ‘trusted’ and halal-certified,” he filing said.

  • Originally published on Ewww.foodnavigator-asia.com

Aiming for Muslim Market, Taiwan Encourages Halal Certification

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TAIPEI (Taiwan News)— With a growing population of over 200,000 Muslims, more restaurants in Taiwan are applying for halal certification and the food industry is aiming for a larger market in both Taiwan and Southeast Asian countries.

According to the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), the global halal food market is worth US$900 trillion and many companies are hoping to cash in on the booming market.

TAITRA also said that they are currently helping local restaurants, including those who sell signature Taiwanese dishes such as beef noodles and fried chicken fillets, to apply for the halal certification.

The term halal traditionally refers to food and drinks that are permissible by Islamic law. The halal certification is given to products, primarily food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical commodities, produced in ways that fit the standards prescribed in the Koran. They need to be manufactured with practices following Islamic law and have to be free from components that are prohibited.

In addition, TAITRA hopes to create a Muslim-friendly environment in Taiwan. Food chains are encouraged to apply for the certification and supermarkets are adding sections for halal products.

In recent years, companies have started to notice the Muslim population in Taiwan and the potential of halal market is hard to dismiss. The number of companies with halal Certification has reached 714, an increase of more than 200 this year.

Originally published on www.taiwannews.com.tw

Pak Halal Certification Body to Launch Halal Defence Fund

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A legal “fighting fund” is planned by the Halal Food Authority (HFA), the certification body, to meet what it said were an increasing number of malicious attacks on the sector.

 The initiative was announced by Saqib Mohammed, chief executive of the HFA on the first day of its two-day conference, held in London last month.

“We are contributing to a halal defence fund to counter the accusations and false claims about halal,” said Mohammed. “We recently received some accusations and have vigorously gone after them and we will be taking legal actions against the perpetrators.

“The defence fund is being considered and there will be three or four organisations attached to that; those who would be involved in halal certification or halal PR or who have got interest in securing the integrity of halal generally.”

Improve education about halal

The fund would also be used to improve education about halal, said Mohammed. “We are looking for more partners to collaborate in that project,” he added.

Halal-certified food is growing in demand, both within the UK, which boasts around 3M muslims, representing around 5% of the 65M population, and the 1.7bn around the world.

However, halal is often subjected to criticism, both for animal welfare reasons by those who strongly oppose the use of non-stun slaughter methods and for other reasons – sometimes racist.

Often subjected to criticism

“Any accusations that are false will be taken very seriously; about halal certification funding terrorism, which is, of course, absolutely not the case,” said Mohammed. He cited the example of false accusations along these lines made in Australia, which were pursued and successfully prosecuted in the courts there.

At the conference, HFA chairman Dr Abdul Matin Khan also announced plans to expand its activities in Europe, having opened an office in Brussels, as well as in the Middle and Far East. “For us being a charitable organisation, we have a bigger community to serve in the future,” said Khan.
While the HFA does operate halal standards that permit the stunning of animals prior to slaughter, it has also recently added an alternative standard called ‘Traditional Halal’ for non-stunned animals.
Originally published on www.foodmanufacture.co.uk

Salma Humanitarian Programme Dubai Launches Ramadan Drive

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DUBAI: The Salma Humanitarian Relief Programme, an initiative of the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre (Diedc) executed by Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (Amaf), has announced the launch of its annual Ramadan campaign.

In line with the UAE’s pioneering humanitarian role, the Salma programme provides halal food relief to victims of wars and natural disasters across the globe. In partnership with Tecom Group, Emirates NBD, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Jumeirah, Choithrams and The Dubai Mall, its seasonal campaign encourages UAE residents to donate and invest in the endowment sector.

Slated to run until after Eid Al Fitr, the campaign will set up a podium, featuring a replica of a refugee camp and an interactive screen projecting a tent city with a line of children waiting for food, at The Dubai Mall to promote the Salma programme and collect donations. In addition, the Salma team will circulate donation boxes and flyers among visitors and professionals working in Tecom Group’s communities including Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Sports City, Dubai Design District, Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai Science Park.

Tayeb Al-Rais, Secretary General of Amaf, said, “As part of its mandate, the Salma programme closely monitors the impact of wars and disasters worldwide. Unfortunately, the number of refugees globally continues to surge, with children constituting 51 per cent of the total. From 2015 to 2016, more than 73,000 people have become victims of conflicts and natural disasters in the Islamic world. Furthermore, the UN’s latest data shows that more than 700 million people currently live in areas prone to disasters, with the number expected to reach one billion by 2030. These statistics drive us to expand our aid coverage to new countries.”

He added: “Supporting the displaced people across the globe through providing food aid to those who need it the most, the Salma programme clearly testifies that the endowment model is a viable solution to the world’s humanitarian relief needs. In the past three years, the programme helped save thousands of lives through supplying more than 455,000 halal meals and distributing 50 tons of meat to people in Palestine, Yemen, Jordan, Sudan, Tajikistan, the Philippines, and countries of West Africa.”

Speaking on the Ramadan campaign, Tayeb Al-Rais said: “I commend Tecom Group, Emirates NBD, RTA, Jumeirah, Choithrams and The Dubai Mall on enabling the Salma team to carry out this outreach campaign and encourage the public to donate for a worthy cause. Our collaboration is part of the UAE’s continued efforts to instil the culture of giving and volunteering in society.”

According to latest UN reports, 65.3 million people across the globe are currently displaced due to wars and natural disasters, including 21.3 million who are classified as refugees. In addition, conflict forces 34,000 people to flee their homes every day. Given the increasing need for relief for the less fortunate, Amaf works relentlessly to raise awareness about the importance of contributing to the Salma programme

Launched in 2014 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Salma Humanitarian Relief Programme follows a concept of sustainable endowment to ensure a steady supply of meals to those affected by wars and disasters.

The initiativeis executed in collaboration with Emirates Red Crescent, UN’s World Food Programme, Dubai Charity Association, Dar Al Berand Dubai International Humanitarian City, which offers logistical support. Government and private sector entities and individual donors help ensurethe continuation and expansion of the programme through securing sustainable financial resources.

Originally published on www.gulftoday.ae

Non-Halal Chicken Meat Seized in Malaysia

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Tawau: Six tonnes of chicken meat from the United States were confiscated from two supermarkets here, Wednesday, for not having the Halal logo – the largest such bust here in an integrated operation led by the Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department.Its administration officer here, Abdul Imam Basirun, said the Department of Veterinary and Animal Industry (Dovsai) seized the chicken meat valued at RM34,000 for further action.

“The non-Halal chicken meat was believed imported illegally as it did not go through Dovsai and Customs Department. They were mixed with other goods to avoid detection from the enforcement authorities.

“However, local chicken meat being sold in the market so far has no halal issue as inspections carried out in the chicken slaughter houses revealed no problems,” he said.

In Sibu, Sarawak, last month, several tonnes of chicken meat were also confiscated and buried after it was found that they were imported illegally.

On Tuesday, Jheains removed three advertisement banners displaying breaking of fast and pre-dawn dishes such as buffet Ramadan in eateries, including at a hotel here.

He said action was taken against the eateries and hotel as they do not possess Halal certification when reflecting an impression that the food is halal such as using the word “Buffet Ramdan” or other Islamic words or objects.

Meanwhile, Abdul Imam said two men in 50s and 60s were arrested for not fasting in Chinese restaurants in Kg Jawa and Pasar Tanjung.

The integrated operation was joined by 20 enforcement personnel including 10 Jheains officers and the rest from Dovasai, Tawau Health office, Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry Tawau branch and Tawau Municipal Council (MPT).

He said the operation would last until this Friday (June 9) to monitor on halal aspects by focusing on slaughter houses, logistics premises, premises of selling chickens and beef, and restaurants, including hotels that offer Buffet Ramadan.

Abdul Imam said the operation in Sabah was headed by the Sabah Jheains Principal Assistant Director (Enforcement Division) Abidin Ali Hassan.

He advised traders to always be honest in conducting businesses and never sell essential items like non-halal chicken meat because misleading the consumers can cause legal action to be taken against them and their goods seized by the enforcement authorities.

He also reminded the Muslim consumers to be extra careful when buying essential goods and advised them to refer to Jheains if they ever have any concerns that need to be addressed. – Lagatah Toyos

Originally published on www.dailyexpress.com.my

NH Foods Japan Makes Progress on Malaysia Halal Hub

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Japan’s biggest food manufacturer has chosen Malaysia to be its hub for halal exports, in partnership with a Malaysian chicken major.

Leading the joint-venture with Lay Hong, NH Foods is now constructing a factory in Selangor at an investment of US$10m.

When complete in the first half of 2018, the plant will initially be capable of producing 1,000 tons of food each month, though this capacity could double depending on demand.

Formed late last year, the joint-venture has already launched five variants of Japanese-branded frozen halal chicken products, marketed under the Nippon Premium NutriPlus brand.

The joint venture is currently exploring opportunities in Indonesia and Thailand to expand its footprint to become an integrated producer.

“Our main target is to focus on urban areas,” said Yap Chor How, Lay Hong’s executive director. “We want to tap into NH Foods’ logistics network.”

NH Foods logged sales of $11.2bn last year, of which 17% was from its overseas operations. Lay Hong, meanwhile, is one of Malaysia’s biggest poultry manufacturers, with annual production of 500m table eggs and 30,000 metric tons of broiler meat.

It said the NHF Manufacturing joint-venture had marked a major step forward in the form of new product development and market penetration.

“We are now reviewing strategies and will capitalise on the strength of NH Foods to take it to greater heights,” Lay Hong said in a statement, adding that response to the initial range of five meat products has been encouraging.

 A piece of industrial land in the Selangor Halal Hub, near to Kuala Lumpur’s main ports, has been identified for the plant.

Under its export strategy, the Malaysian unit will also produce halal-certified ready-to-eat chilled foods, including meat balls, burgers and omelettes.

The new factory will also produce easy-to-cook vegetables and other Chinese foods, including dim sum.

The unit hopes to export about 40% of its produce to Singapore, Japan and the Middle East.

 Originally published on www.foodnavigator-asia.com
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