M'SIAN MUSLIMS AVOID JAPANESE FOOD DUE TO LACK OF 'HALAL' SIGNS - JETRO

FROM CHIANG HEE TZE

TOKYO, Aug 26 (Bernama) -- The uncertainty of 'halal' status is seen as one
of the main reasons why Muslims in Malaysia or Japan shy away from Japanese
restaurants or foodstuff.

The situation might change once Japanese chain stores or restaurants opened
up stores or restaurants in Malaysia to promote fruits or food that are 'halal',
so as to dispel the misunderstanding among Muslims here and in Japan, said
Daisho Food (M) Sdn Bhd sales manager Masato Suzuki.

He said Japanese restaurants or chain stores normally displayed 'non-halal'
signs for food but no labels or signs would be displayed for 'halal' food or
fruits.

"They (Malaysian Muslims) avoid going to Japanese restaurants or buy
Japanese food from stores because they are worried that 'non-halal' meat and
alcohol may be used to prepare such food," he told Bernama after attending the
Japan Food Business Meeting organized by the Japan External Trade Organizaition
(JETRO) here Tuesday.

JETRO is an agency of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
cooperation that has 73 offices throughout the world and promote business
opportunities between Japanese and foreign companies.


It promotes business opportunities between Japanese suppliers and foreign
buyers from countries like Malaysia, China (Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou),
United States, France, United Kingdom and India.

DAISHO imports and exports 1,500 types of Japanese foodstuff for
supermarkets, hypermarkets, factories, hotels, restaurants, and specializes in
supplying a variety of quality frozen seafood, product for Sushi, canned food,
processed frozen food, frozen food, seasoning and rice products.

However, Masato said since 'halal' food is a potential market, DAISHO would
try to find details of halal food via the Japan food business meeting.

He reiterated that fresh vegetables and fruits imported from Japan were
'halal' and Muslim consumers need not be doubtful.

He said most of the imported vegetables and fruits were of high quality
although prices may be a little higher but since consumers are always looking
for quality products there is a vast potential for such products in Malaysia.

"We imported Japanese vegetables and fruits for the last three years but
there was no market but now people choose Japanese food because of it's safety
assurance," he said.

-- BERNAMA