ID :
143821
Mon, 09/27/2010 - 18:00
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/143821
The shortlink copeid
GERMAN HALAL EXPERT LAUDS MALAYSIA`S PIONEERING WORK IN HALAL FOOD PROCESSING
By Manik Mehta
FRANKFURT, Sept 27 (BERNAMA) -- A German expert on halal certification has
praised Malaysia for the "pioneering work" it has done in the field of halal
food processing.
Mohmoud M. Tatari, the general manager of Ruesselsheim-based Halal Control
e.V., which verifies the authenticity of halal products and issues halal
certification to manufacturers and food processors in Europe, said the agency
was also recognised by the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim).
"Malaysia started pretty early to create halal compliant norms and
standards. Indeed, Malaysia had understood quite early to set halal norms
into practice," Tatari told Bernama at the Frankfurt office of the Malaysian
trade commissioner, Mohd Sabri Ab Rahman.
Sabri said he was confident of increasing Malaysia’s profile as a supplier
of top-quality halal products in Germany and other European countries which came
within his jurisdiction.
Describing Malaysia as "among the most modern Islamic countries, as far as
the technical and economic development is concerned", Tatari, who is of Syrian
origin, said halal products were consumed mainly by Muslims in Germany, though
he wished German politicians would also support the endeavours of the halal
industry to get a "voice" in the mainstream community.
Due to widespread prejudices and lack of sufficient knowledge on halal
products in Germany, the majority of Germans do not know what halal stands for
and believe it is linked to spreading Islam, so Tatari has tried to correct some
misconceptions about halal and put the picture in perspective.
"Halal is not affiliated with religion. It has more to do with sanitation
requirements and certain rituals linked with Islam, but there is no religious
agenda behind it.
"Indeed, Islam prescribes that animals should be treated humanely and with
respect, even if they are to be slaughtered. According to Islam, animals
should not be physically or mentally tortured," he explained.
Germany’s halal market is worth 4 to 4.5 billion euros. Germany is also
a major exporter of halal food products to a number of countries.
In fact, some 42 per cent of halal meat produced and processed in Germany
are exported to the Middle East, Spain and other countries, according to Tatari.
"There is a large halal food-consuming community in Germany," he said,
adding that Malaysia stood for quality and efficiency.
Tatari also said that there was good business potential for Malaysia’s
halal products in the 74-million strong mainstream market of Germany
He said export of halal products to Germany had been growing between 12
and 15 per cent even when there was a recession.
-- BERNAMA
FRANKFURT, Sept 27 (BERNAMA) -- A German expert on halal certification has
praised Malaysia for the "pioneering work" it has done in the field of halal
food processing.
Mohmoud M. Tatari, the general manager of Ruesselsheim-based Halal Control
e.V., which verifies the authenticity of halal products and issues halal
certification to manufacturers and food processors in Europe, said the agency
was also recognised by the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim).
"Malaysia started pretty early to create halal compliant norms and
standards. Indeed, Malaysia had understood quite early to set halal norms
into practice," Tatari told Bernama at the Frankfurt office of the Malaysian
trade commissioner, Mohd Sabri Ab Rahman.
Sabri said he was confident of increasing Malaysia’s profile as a supplier
of top-quality halal products in Germany and other European countries which came
within his jurisdiction.
Describing Malaysia as "among the most modern Islamic countries, as far as
the technical and economic development is concerned", Tatari, who is of Syrian
origin, said halal products were consumed mainly by Muslims in Germany, though
he wished German politicians would also support the endeavours of the halal
industry to get a "voice" in the mainstream community.
Due to widespread prejudices and lack of sufficient knowledge on halal
products in Germany, the majority of Germans do not know what halal stands for
and believe it is linked to spreading Islam, so Tatari has tried to correct some
misconceptions about halal and put the picture in perspective.
"Halal is not affiliated with religion. It has more to do with sanitation
requirements and certain rituals linked with Islam, but there is no religious
agenda behind it.
"Indeed, Islam prescribes that animals should be treated humanely and with
respect, even if they are to be slaughtered. According to Islam, animals
should not be physically or mentally tortured," he explained.
Germany’s halal market is worth 4 to 4.5 billion euros. Germany is also
a major exporter of halal food products to a number of countries.
In fact, some 42 per cent of halal meat produced and processed in Germany
are exported to the Middle East, Spain and other countries, according to Tatari.
"There is a large halal food-consuming community in Germany," he said,
adding that Malaysia stood for quality and efficiency.
Tatari also said that there was good business potential for Malaysia’s
halal products in the 74-million strong mainstream market of Germany
He said export of halal products to Germany had been growing between 12
and 15 per cent even when there was a recession.
-- BERNAMA
