Halal Labeling Requirements To Be Imposed On Products In June

Algerian producers and manufacturers will start using Halal labeling on food products for local marketing, and even for export starting by next June.

This measure concerns food products that are manufactured with animal feed additives, and some dairy products as well, like cheese and other products containing raw materials that are made from meat.

General Manager of the National Institute for Standardization, Djamal Hales, announced the beginning of the work with “Halal Labeling” during the month of June, through compulsory requirements on food products that are manufactured locally and that are destined for the domestic market and for export, and the products that are imported from abroad as well.

In this context Head of Consumer Protection Federation, Zaki Ahriz, told Echorouk, on Wednesday; “Many of the food products that are manufactured in Algeria containing raw materials from unknown source, and therefore we must work with “Halal Labeling” to make sure that the ingredients and food additives for each product that is sold in the market for consumers is Halal.

“Halal Labeling is controlled by a specialized committee comprising several ministries and bodies in addition to the National Institute of Standardization in charge of granting “Halal Labeling” certification for producers and manufacturers. It is very necessary to remove the confusion about food components that are consumed by the Algerians”.

“Many food products contain ingredients that are in their origin made of pig material, such as sweets and chocolate, that are made with gelatin of animal origin, and through the “Halal Labeling” it will be easy to control the source of these products, by taking care of the use of “Halal” components, which is reflected in the licence that will be granted by the National Institute of Standardization to producers in order to reassure consumers on the one hand, and realize quality control on the other”.

“Foodstuffs that are concerned with halal labeling are sweets and chocolates, and some dairy products, such as yogurt, which is made from yeast, that is mostly made with pig intestines, and even some cheeses are made from the same yeast. Control and certification of “Halal labeling” will be imposed both on imports from abroad and even locally manufactured products. Bacteria that is used in some dairy products is originally made from blood shed, what should be subject to the same label”.

“In the context that openness to the global market and export abroad the Halal Labeling is also required because Algerian consumers abroad do not trust products that do not carry Halal labeling”.