IKIM (Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia ) also talk abaout Islamic Manucaturing Practice (IMP).They said IMP is supposed to be a more conclusive approach in determining whether something labeled halal is really halal. >>>
The development of halal products and services is
now becoming a promising and profitable business. Certification bodies
authorised to endorse halal products and services should be capable of
looking into what compliance issues conforms to the status. The issue of
non-compliance prior to, during and post certification is still
monitored throughout. This has the potential to bring down the confident
levels of consumers especially those who are strictly concerned with
products being either halal or haram. Apparently the halal status does
not refer only to the products but is most critical during the process
and manner in which products are handled. In most cases, the product and
service provider fails to properly conduct monitoring resulting in
non-compliance. Regrettably, some are issued halal certificates in spite
of the product being banned.
The problem of enforcement is a critical aspect in dealing with such
certification. It is not only a problem with capacity i.e knowledge,
technical skills, and information but also with regard to the ratio of
enforcement to products and service providers.
Hence, there is a need for all manufacturers from the provider or supplier to the end user to comply with requirements as suggested in the Islamic Manufacturing Practice (IMP) framework . The IMP is an index based on the principle of "Halalan Tayyiban" (permissible and good). From the perspective of quality , if one is certified by the IMP, one would not worry about many things since the certification body is assumed to have the capacity to look into those matters. From the business aspect, we should not encourage others to participate in the so called 'halal' industry to the extent that they are able to manipulate the Muslim consumer to their benefit. The IMP assures that there is mutual interest satisfied by way of the established mechanisms and tools.
In an effort to enoble and enrich the quality of civilization, one should make reference to what has been mentioned in the Qur'an on matters concerning consumerism. In other words emphasis should be on both the halal aspect and the tayyiban aspect. If certification imposed by the authorities is simply to differentiate between halal and non-halal alone, the quality of the products and services can be called into questioned. Many assume that the Muslims are unable to be primary producers as reasons to consider the participation of non Muslims in production.
There is certainly a great deal of truth in this assumption. The fact is that most producers of halal products for the global market are non Muslims. For the Muslims, being the certifying body alone is insufficient if coordination is left to the producers. In addition, if certification standards differ from one Muslim country to the next, one cannot claim that the Muslims are in control. Monies made from the certification alone will not be utilized by the Muslim ummah, rather it will once again benefit the producer and individual certifiers. The victim in all this will be the Muslim consumer.
Hence, all manufacturers should be IMP certified in order that both the halal and the tayyiban aspects are adderessed.
The argument from some Muslims who allege that Muslims themselves are not capable and have no capacity to control the halal industry may not hold water. Malaysia has been emphasising 'halal' products and yet we still consume non-halal products. For example, product made from pig such as gelatin powder-a colourless, odourless mixture of proteins extracted from the skin, bones and cartilage of pigs. It is used to thicken and stabilize various jellies, desserts etc. In Finland, gelatine is usually available in granulated/ powdered form or pressed in thin, translucent sheets, called sheet or leaf gelatine used in cosmetics, the film, indusry and phamaceutical capsules.
Another example of non-halal products in the market is Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 is a hormone which occurs naturally in humans and cows. IGF-1 in cows is chemically identical with IGF-1 in humans. IGF-1 regulates cell growth, which causes cells to divide, particularly in children. This is important because a cancer is defined as an uncontrollable cell growth. The question then arises, will an increase of IGF-1 in genetically engineered milk cause inappropriate cell division in humans, which in turn could accelerate tumor growth?
Published research shows that recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) injected into dairy cows substantially increases the concentration of IGF-1 in cow's milk. In an article in Science magazine in 1990, the FDA admitted that rBGH-tainted milk has higher levels of IGF-1. Other scientists have confirmed this conclusion. A recent report by another manufacturer of rBGH, Eli Lilly & Co., reveals a ten-fold increase in IGF-1 levels. Furthermore, there is growing evidence that IGF-1 in rBGH milk affects the human body differently than non-hormonal milk. Can this type of product be considered tayyiban?
IMP is supposed to be a more conclusive approach in determining whether something labeled halal is really halal.
Hence, there is a need for all manufacturers from the provider or supplier to the end user to comply with requirements as suggested in the Islamic Manufacturing Practice (IMP) framework . The IMP is an index based on the principle of "Halalan Tayyiban" (permissible and good). From the perspective of quality , if one is certified by the IMP, one would not worry about many things since the certification body is assumed to have the capacity to look into those matters. From the business aspect, we should not encourage others to participate in the so called 'halal' industry to the extent that they are able to manipulate the Muslim consumer to their benefit. The IMP assures that there is mutual interest satisfied by way of the established mechanisms and tools.
In an effort to enoble and enrich the quality of civilization, one should make reference to what has been mentioned in the Qur'an on matters concerning consumerism. In other words emphasis should be on both the halal aspect and the tayyiban aspect. If certification imposed by the authorities is simply to differentiate between halal and non-halal alone, the quality of the products and services can be called into questioned. Many assume that the Muslims are unable to be primary producers as reasons to consider the participation of non Muslims in production.
There is certainly a great deal of truth in this assumption. The fact is that most producers of halal products for the global market are non Muslims. For the Muslims, being the certifying body alone is insufficient if coordination is left to the producers. In addition, if certification standards differ from one Muslim country to the next, one cannot claim that the Muslims are in control. Monies made from the certification alone will not be utilized by the Muslim ummah, rather it will once again benefit the producer and individual certifiers. The victim in all this will be the Muslim consumer.
Hence, all manufacturers should be IMP certified in order that both the halal and the tayyiban aspects are adderessed.
The argument from some Muslims who allege that Muslims themselves are not capable and have no capacity to control the halal industry may not hold water. Malaysia has been emphasising 'halal' products and yet we still consume non-halal products. For example, product made from pig such as gelatin powder-a colourless, odourless mixture of proteins extracted from the skin, bones and cartilage of pigs. It is used to thicken and stabilize various jellies, desserts etc. In Finland, gelatine is usually available in granulated/ powdered form or pressed in thin, translucent sheets, called sheet or leaf gelatine used in cosmetics, the film, indusry and phamaceutical capsules.
Another example of non-halal products in the market is Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 is a hormone which occurs naturally in humans and cows. IGF-1 in cows is chemically identical with IGF-1 in humans. IGF-1 regulates cell growth, which causes cells to divide, particularly in children. This is important because a cancer is defined as an uncontrollable cell growth. The question then arises, will an increase of IGF-1 in genetically engineered milk cause inappropriate cell division in humans, which in turn could accelerate tumor growth?
Published research shows that recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) injected into dairy cows substantially increases the concentration of IGF-1 in cow's milk. In an article in Science magazine in 1990, the FDA admitted that rBGH-tainted milk has higher levels of IGF-1. Other scientists have confirmed this conclusion. A recent report by another manufacturer of rBGH, Eli Lilly & Co., reveals a ten-fold increase in IGF-1 levels. Furthermore, there is growing evidence that IGF-1 in rBGH milk affects the human body differently than non-hormonal milk. Can this type of product be considered tayyiban?
IMP is supposed to be a more conclusive approach in determining whether something labeled halal is really halal.
