Consumer protection of halal food products in Malaysia

Halal food products are not only confined to Muslim community but it becomes big concern of non-Muslim community who are particular on the issue of hygiene and healthy food. The increasing number of food products in the market has created concern among Muslims all around the world on the halal status of a product. Moreover, it has caused doubts as the foods might contain unwanted, danger or contaminated ingredients that cannot be traced with the naked eye which may eventually harm the health of consumers. Halal products also do not emphasize only in terms of hygiene in food preparation but also in terms of slaughtering procedures and food processing. Thus, enforcement measures have been taken by requiring halal food products to ensure that manufacturers comply with the requirements of halal product. Although various regulations and laws on food have been established in Malaysia, but the implementation seems difficult to realize, especially when dealing with the issue of falsification of certificates and logos. Hence, this study examined the laws that govern halal food products in Malaysia and method of enforcing and implementing the existence law. In this study, the analysis has been done through data collected from the main source of legislations, Acts, cases and journal articles. Although the law and halal food guidelines have long been implemented, but there are still weaknesses in terms of the effectiveness of the law and its implementation in Malaysia. Therefore, this study suggested that create specific halal law to govern halal legislations. Without effective laws, various problems will arise that may prevent government‟s efforts to lift the halal industry as a new source of world economic development.