IFANCA and IIUM Strengthen International Halal Collaboration at MIHAS 2026

Collaboration highlights the importance of knowledge, professional capability, and public trust in the international halal industry.

KUALA LUMPUR, 24 September 2026: Behind every halal product is a chain of decisions involving ingredients, production, suppliers, and the people responsible for maintaining its integrity. For businesses, these decisions shape credibility and market readiness. For consumers, they underpin confidence in the products they choose.

Against this backdrop, the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA), United States of America, and the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), through the International Institute for Halal Research and Training (INHART), signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2026. The signing marks a step towards closer engagement between industry and academia, bringing together IFANCA’s experience in halal certification and IIUM’s academic expertise. It reflects the importance of connecting practical industry knowledge with research and education to support the businesses and communities that rely on the halal sector.

For companies, the relevance of such collaboration extends to everyday operations. Understanding halal requirements and applying them consistently requires informed management, capable personnel, and access to relevant knowledge. Stronger connections between industry organisations and universities can help academic work respond to these practical needs while giving businesses access to broader perspectives. That connection also matters to the people entering the workforce. Graduates need to understand how academic principles translate into decisions on the production floor, within supply chains, and across different markets. Greater engagement between academia and industry can help narrow the distance between what students learn and what employers require.

The public has an equally important stake. Consumers depend on the competence and integrity of those responsible for halal assurance. Clear communication and accessible knowledge can help them understand halal practices and make informed choices. Cooperation between industry practitioners and academic institutions offers an opportunity to support that understanding.

Bringing together institutions from the United States and Malaysia also creates space for perspectives shaped by different commercial and social environments. For an industry serving communities across borders, understanding these differences is important to building relationships and responding to consumer needs. MIHAS 2026 provided the setting for IFANCA and IIUM to affirm their intention to strengthen this connection. The significance of the signing lies in the opportunity to bring industry experience and academic knowledge into closer conversation, supporting businesses while keeping consumer trust and public benefit at the centre of halal industry development.