Halal Logistics and Halal Integrity Protection

1.

Introduction
Products and halal services refer to products that are permitted to be produced and used byconsumers according to Shariah law. For halal products and services, Muslim consumers are allowed to purchase and use them. Conversely, products and services that are produced withoutcomplying with Shariah regulations are categorized as haram（forbidden）. A product or service
that is categorized as haram will not be purchased or used by Muslim consumers because its acquisition would violate Shariah law. Furthermore, halal products and services are also characterized as toyyiban（wholesome）. Toyyiban is defined as being of quality, clean, pure, and safe foruse according to Shariah law. Therefore, halal products and services can be defined as somethingpermitted by Shariah law, of quality, clean, pure, and safe for use.
The production of halal products and services is essential to meet the needs of the Muslim
consumer community. The demands of Muslim consumers for halal products and services are extensive and encompass various product and service categories. Generally, there are seven categories of halal products or services worldwide : food and beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals,
consumer goods, logistics, slaughterhouses, and medical devices. The halal certification of a product or service is typically overseen by a halal certification body（HCB）in a country, such as the
Department of Islamic Development Malaysia（JAKIM）in Malaysia, Japan Muslim Association（JMA）, Japan Halal Association（JHA）, Japan Islamic Trust（JIT）, Muslim Professional Japan
Association（MPJA）, Nippon Asia Halal Association（NAHA）,and Japan Halal Foundation（JHF）
in Japan.
The existence of these certification bodies is to ensure the integrity of halal products andservices is upheld and protected. The integrity of halal products and services refers to the true
value of a product or service as provided to the consumer. Integrity, in this context, implies honesty, sincerity, or a state of perfection. Therefore, integrity can be inferred as the assurance thatthe value of a product is perfect and aligns with what was promised to the consumer. Consumers
expect producers to maintain the integrity of the halal products they produce, so that the value
and quality of the purchased halal products match what is described on the product packaging orin advertisements.
Assurance of value in a halal product can also be viewed from various perspectives or categories and depends on factors of sales appeal provided by the producer. Sales appeal can arise
from different angles, such as product quality. Examples of quality-based appeal include taste,
weight, cleanliness, and shelf life. At the same time, the assurance of value in a product can also
be seen from the perspective of the applied production methods. For instance, whether local materials are used, state-of-the-art equipment is employed, waste management practices are followed, and quality assurance systems like Good Manufacturing Practice（GMP）or Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point（HACCP）are practiced.
Furthermore, sales appeal can also come from the angle of assurance based on social principles. Assurance of social principal value can be viewed from environmental or humanitarian perspectives. The integrity of existing values refers to products produced using green technology or165free from child labour issues and any criminal elements. In the context of halal products, the integrity of the product refers to the assurance that the halal value is maintained from the sourceof raw materials to the consumption by the consumer.
Therefore, the integrity of a product can be referred to as the assurance of a promised value
by the producer to the consumer. The integrity of a product needs to be protected and maintained according to suitable industry practices. Failing to protect the integrity of a product will
undermine the promised value to the consumer. For halal products, the emphasized integrity pertains to honesty about the halal value. Failure to uphold the halal integrity of a product will giverise to doubts about the halal status of that product.
2.

Halal Integrity
Halal integrity refers to the assurance that the halal value of a food product remains intactfrom the use of raw materials to the point of completion and purchase by consumers. Halal integrity can also be defined as a guarantee of the halal status of a product in terms of being safe forpurchase, maintaining quality, and being free from improper practices starting from raw material
sources all the way to the hands of consumers. Halal integrity also refers to a state where the halal status of a product will not be questioned. Based on these three definitions, it can be summarized that halal integrity refers to the unquestionable status or value of a productʼs halal nature
as well as protected from any Haram elements through suitable efforts to maintain its halal value.
Activities related to halal integrity protection are associated with efforts made by halal product producers to preserve the halal integrity from the stage of raw material sourcing to reachingconsumers. Protecting halal integrity also involves a firmʼs efforts to maintain halal value throughthe use of halal logistics, including halal transportation and warehousing throughout the supply
chain activities. To ensure the preservation of halal integrity, protection should start from thestage of raw material utilization. The selected and used raw materials need to be sourced fromsuppliers with halal certification. Halal product producers have a clear responsibility to ensurethat contracts for raw material purchases involve only partners with valid halal certification.
Through this approach, the halal integrity of the utilized raw materials will be preserved andprotected.
Halal integrity protection is not solely focused on the content of raw materials. Issues ofcleanliness that align with the concept of toyyiban, honest and accurate labelling, production processes that adhere to Shariah principles and follow relevant standard procedure manuals, as wellas product safety aspects, are also critical components in safeguarding halal integrity. This is because the halal value also encompasses honesty in every aspect of production and marketing of
halal products. Good manufacturing and marketing practices can help reinforce the management
aspect of protecting halal integrity.
Halal integrity protection is a central focus in the halal certification practices of Malaysia.
The obligation of company management with halal certification regarding halal integrity protection is clearly stated in standard procedure manuals for halal product production, such as MS
1500 : 2019 Halal food - General requirements（Third revision）for food products. The same obli-

166

Halal Logistics and Halal Integrity Protection

gations are also explicitly stated for halal logistics services through the standard manuals MS
2400―1 : 2019（Transportation）and MS 2400―2 : 2019（Warehousing）. Emphasis on protecting halal integrity is also mentioned in the halal policies of Malaysian halal product producers, which ispart of the Halal Assurance System（HAS）developed by these producers.
Management sensitivity towards halal integrity issues is crucial. The world has witnessed
several instances where management failures have led to mishandling halal integrity concerns in
products of various companies. The failure of a halal food product company to protect halal integrity could lead to scandals in the halal food industry. Scandals involving halal integrity are considered more serious due to their impact on religious trust and their potential to negatively affectthe sustainability and development of the global halal industry. Repeated scandals can erode consumer confidence in the halal integrity of products, making it challenging for Muslim consumers
to enjoy halal products without doubt. Halal-related scandals have occurred globally and acrossvarious countries and types of products. The issues affecting halal integrity can be seen fromthree angles : the aspect of halal compliance itself, the aspect of toyyiban, and the aspect oftrade-related compliance.
Table 1 illustrates that the issue of halal integrity involves three main aspects which are halal compliance, toyyiban, and trade compliance. All three aspects directly contribute to risks on
the halal integrity. The issue of halal compliance refers to situations where non-halal substances
are used in the preparation of halal food. Non-halal substances that can affect halal integrity include raw materials derived from pigs, dogs, and alcohol. The issue of halal integrity involving
the use of non-halal materials is a serious matter and can render a product as haram. Halal integrity issues related to the use of non-halal material can result in serious non-compliance with thestandards set by the Malaysian Halal Management System（MHMS）. Directly, products categorized as haram can no longer be purchased by Muslim consumers.
The issue of toyyiban refers to cleanliness problems involving production locations and unclean manufacturing practices. Halal integrity issues involving toyyiban aspects does not necessarily involve the use of non-halal raw materials. Toyyiban refers to quality, cleanliness, and safety for consumption or use. This definition shows that issues of quality, cleanliness, and safety for
consumption are part of the components of halal integrity. On the other hand, trade fraud issues
refer to the use of halal logos that are not valid or recognized by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia（JAKIM）. The issue of halal integrity encompasses every activity in the halal supply chain. Starting from raw material production, the process of manufacturing raw materials, logistics activities, and up to the retail stage before purchase by consumers, halal integrity
needs to be protected from contamination and from damaging the halal value possessed by a halal product.
At the same time, the robustness of the safety network for protecting halal integrity needs
to be carefully examined. Preventive actions are necessary to ensure that the steps taken to safeguard halal integrity are at their best. The use of halal logistics is one of the best prevention
measures to confront halal integrity issues. Solely safeguarding halal integrity at the production
stage is insufficient because potential threats to halal integrity can occur throughout the halal
supply chain. Threats to halal integrity can occur at every stage of the halal supply chain, start-

167

Table 1

Global Halal Integrity Cases（2000-2021）

Year

Country

Scandal Case

2000

MexicoFailed to declare pork content insausage and burger meat

2005

Italy

2011
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2014
2014
2015
2015
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2019
2021

Horse meat sausages contain amixture of pork
Malaysia
Alcohol content in food
Afrika Selatan Pork meat is mixed into sausage
and beef burger products
UnitedPork DNA in pastry and meat pie
Kingdom
UnitedPork DNA in frozen halal lamb
Kingdom
burgerUnitedPork gelatine in medical vaccines
Kingdom
Amerika
Chicken sandwich wrongly
Syarikatlabelled as halal
China
Homemade food products that are
wrongly labelled as halal
Malaysia
The bread factory is not clean
EuropeanMislabelling of chicken sausages
Union
containing pork mixture
Malaysia
Pig DNA in halal chocolate thathas been on the market
BritainSlaughterhouses that do notadhere to halal procedures
Malaysia
Cleanliness of cake products
Italy
Pork DNA in chicken sausages
Spain
Pork DNA in candies
Malaysia
Mixing goat and pork meat in thesame container
Malaysia
Use of raw materials that do nothave halal certification
Malaysia
Cleanliness of seafood products
Malaysia
Use of fake halal logos
Malaysia
Dirty production center

Halal
Production
AspectX

Aspect of
ToyyibanCompliance

Aspect of Trade
Compliance

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

X

X
X

X
X
X

X

X
X
X

X

ing from raw materials, production, transportation, warehousing, and at the retail stage.
Halal integrity cases can be addressed if all parties involved in supply chain activities use halal logistics to manage the transportation and storage of halal products in the market. This is because halal products transported using halal trucks will be protected from contaminants like pig
DNA. Moreover, the concept of toyyiban, meaning pure and clean, will be applied in every process, from transportation and storage to the purchasing process by consumers. The issue of using
non-recognized halal logos from JAKIM can also be better managed. Without a valid halal certificate, logistics providers such as trucking, container, and warehousing services will not provide logistic services to companies attempting to deceive with non-recognized halal logos. This action isin line with the halal logistics standard manual that stipulates only valid halal products are allowed to be transported using halal trucks.
The use of halal logistics is crucial to ensure the quality and integrity of halal products arepreserved throughout the supply chain activities. This aligns with the requirement for halal logistics to ensure that halal products are not contaminated by non-halal products. Halal logistics has

168

Halal Logistics and Halal Integrity Protection

been defined as a process of managing the acquisition, movement, storage, and handling of goods,
animals, finished or semi-finished products, whether food or non-food items, along with the flow of
information and documentation within the organization and supply chain, adhering to general
Shariah principles. This definition implies that halal logistics involves all activities that occur
throughout the supply chain process. Therefore, the assurance of maintaining the quality and integrity of halal can be provided by halal logistics, starting from the transportation and storage ofraw materials to the point of purchase by end consumers.
Hence, the presence of halal logistics is seen to aid efforts in ensuring the integrity, purity,and quality of halal products are preserved. This aligns with the operational goal of halal logistics,
which is to protect halal integrity from the production stage to reaching the consumer market（Tieman, 2011）.The adoption of halal logistics can solve the problem of contaminating halal products throughout the supply chain activities, particularly the risk of contamination outside the production plant. Moreover, issues with using fake or unauthorized logos can also be curbed. Preventive measures can be taken to ensure that any product lacking a valid halal certificate recognized
by JAKIM is not introduced into the local halal market. The presence of halal logistics can beconsidered as a definite solution to preventing fraud and contamination of halal products throughout the supply chain activities.
3.

Halal Logistics and Halal Integrity Protection
The halal integrity protection by halal product producers can be defined as continuous ef-

forts by these producers to maintain halal integrity throughout the supply chain activities
through the use of halal logistics. Halal logistics refers to transportation or warehousing services
that comply with Shariah principles. Halal logistics is one of the halal services presents in theworld of the halal industry. Halal logistics is operated by logistics service providers who have obtained recognition certificates from halal certification bodies of a country, such as the Departmentof Islamic Development Malaysia（JAKIM）in Malaysia. Halal logistics is offered to halal productproducers who desire their logistics activities to be managed in accordance with specific procedures to ensure that transportation or warehousing operations are compliant with Shariah principles. In Malaysia, halal logistics is operated based on two standard procedure manuals which are
MS 2400-1 : 2019 Halal Chain Management System Part 1 - General Requirements（Transportation）for halal transportation operations, and MS 2400―2 : 2019 Halal Chain Management System
Part 1 - General Requirements（Warehousing）for halal warehousing operations.
Halal logistics is a new practice in logistic operations that offers a different approach compared to conventional logistic services that are already available. Therefore, the consumer segment for halal logistic services is also different from conventional logistics. Halal logistics represents an innovative form provided by logistic suppliers who are innovative in their effort toexpand the services offered. Halal logistics operations are divided into two categories : halal transportation and halal warehousing. Halal logistics is a Shariah-compliant logistic activity that starts
from the source of production to the hands of halal consumers. Halal logistics offers benefits tousers in the form of protecting the halal integrity of a product from transportation and storage of

169

Fig. 1

Flowchart of halal logistics operations

raw materials to the production process until the halal product reaches the consumer. All halallogistics activities throughout the supply chain are designed to be Shariah-compliant and involve
only halal products. Figure 1 illustrates the role of halal logistics that must be employed throughout the supply chain activities, starting from raw material suppliers to consumers.
The characteristics of halal logistics operations that exclusively manage halal products ensure the protection of halal integrity. The protected value of halal integrity comes from various
aspects such as product quality and safety, as well as being free from the risk of cross-contamination with non-halal products. The design of halal logistics operations is not only intended to address the issue of preserving halal integrity but also emphasizes service quality and the preservation of the quality of transported and stored products. This can be seen through the manualdevelopment of standard procedures for halal transportation and warehousing that emphasize theprotection of halal integrity. The use of halal logistics can effectively support efforts to preserve
halal integrity along the supply chain. Cases related to halal integrity issues can be more efficiently prevented from occurring.
There are several examples that highlight the importance of halal logistics in preserving halal integrity. In 2013, it was reported that pig DNA was found in frozen halal lamb burgers in the
United Kingdom. This discovery occurred when local authorities-initiated testing on frozen halallamb burger products in the market and found pig DNA in the halal lamb burgers. However, asecond test conducted by local authorities found no pig DNA in the frozen halal lamb burgers.
This discrepancy in findings was due to differences in sampling methods between the first andsecond tests. The first test involved sampling frozen halal lamb burger products from the market,
while the second test involved sampling from the production facility.
Following that, local authorities in the United Kingdom concluded that the contamination of
pig DNA in the frozen halal lamb burgers occurred outside of the production facility. This conclusion suggests that cross-contamination occurred during the supply chain activities from the point
the frozen halal lamb burgers left the production facility until they were purchased by consumers. This situation indicates that the halal integrity of the frozen halal lamb burgers was compromised due to the lack of halal logistics in the supply chain activities. If halal transportation andwarehousing were employed, the integrity of the frozen halal lamb burgers could have been pre-170

Halal Logistics and Halal Integrity Protection

served by avoiding the risk of being transported or stored alongside non-halal items derived frompigs.
Cases involving the need for halal logistics to preserve halal integrity have also occurred in
Malaysia. In 2014, a case arose in Malaysia involving the discovery of pig DNA in halal productsin the market. This discovery shocked the halal market in Malaysia and led to negative reactions
from consumers toward the brand of the affected products. Two government agencies conductedinvestigations and reached different findings. These discrepancies can be attributed to differences
in investigation methods. The first government agency investigated by taking the sample of halal
products from the market and found pig DNA in the samples.
However, when the investigation was repeated by another local government agency, no pig
DNA was found in the samples taken from the production facility. This difference in findings indicates that the halal products were not contaminated with pig DNA during the production process
in the facility. At the same time, the discovery of pig DNA in the market samples indicates thatcross-contamination occurred at the logistic stage that did not use halal transportation or warehousing. Cross-contamination can occur if producers use conventional logistics services that are
not Shariah-compliant. Cross-contamination can happen during transportation or warehousing
when halal products are transported or stored together with non-halal products. This situation
can be prevented by using halal logistics throughout the supply chain, starting from the production facility to the consumer. Through halal logistics, the integrity of halal products can bewell-preserved. This case has similarities to the 2013 case in the United Kingdom, wherecross-contamination did not occur during production but in the market.
Another case from 2017 involved a situation where frozen halal lamb meat and frozen porkmeat imported from Spain were placed in the same container at a port terminal in Malaysia. Thiscase highlighted a mistake in managing imported halal products by storing frozen halal lambmeat and frozen pork meat in the same container. This mistake could have been avoided if local
importers used halal logistics services to handle the transportation of frozen halal lamb meat.
The use of halal logistics would ensure that frozen halal lamb meat would not be placed together
with pork meat in a single container, thus preventing any risk of cross-contamination. This casecould have been prevented if halal logistics were employed before the contaminated meat
reached the terminal. The integrity of halal products can be maintained as the frozen halal lambproducts will not be placed together with non-halal products in the same container.
For other cases where cross-contamination occurs during production, halal logistics plays acrucial role in ensuring that only halal products with preserved halal integrity are brought into
the halal market. Through the use of halal logistics, any products that have been contaminated at
the production stage and have had their halal integrity compromised will not be taken out of the
production factory. This directly prevents the issue of contaminated halal products from worsening and allows for direct resolution at the production stage without involving consumers directly.
Therefore, the use of halal logistics should be more widely adopted by producers, taking into account the benefits gained, whether directly or indirectly.

171

4.

Benefits of Using Halal Logistics in Preserving Halal Integrity
Generally, the use of halal logistics by producers of halal products aims to protect the integri-

ty of their halal products. Efforts to preserve halal integrity through the use of halal logistics also
provide several benefits to the producers of halal products. When producers employ halal logistics to protect halal integrity, they can directly enjoy several advantages. The first benefit refers
to the ability to reduce the risk of consumer complaints or grievances against a producer companyʼs halal practices. Cross-contamination involving mixing with prohibited substances can erode
consumer trust in a companyʼs halal integrity. Consumer complaints about a companyʼs halal
practices can occur, causing losses for the producers. Therefore, by using halal logistics, the riskof contamination outside the factory can be effectively avoided. Meanwhile, damages resulting
from contamination during production can be contained and controlled to prevent reaching consumers.
The second benefit pertains to the capability of halal logistics to assist in meeting the requirements of halal practice compliance audits by local authorities. Through the use of halal logistics, the risk of cross-contamination can be avoided, leading to good halal integrity protection
practices. This situation will aid halal product producers in meeting the requirements of halal
practice compliance audits. This is because compliance audits are conducted to ensure the integrity of a productʼs halal status is maintained throughout the production process. The third benefit
relates to the capacity for continuous improvement related to halal practices. Through halal logistics, producers can easily make continuous improvements to halal practices as issues concerning
halal integrity can be effectively managed. Halal integrity issues are paramount in good halal
practices.
The fourth benefit is from the perspective of image. The use of halal logistics as an effort toprotect halal integrity is considered a commendable practice. Producers of halal products will beperceived as parties dedicated to and practicing good and quality halal practices. Indirectly, thiseffort enhances the image of halal product producers among customers and consumers. The efforts to protect halal integrity through the use of halal logistics will create an image that halal
product producers are considerate company that values the needs of both customers and consumers.
The fifth benefit is from the perspective of customer satisfaction. Efforts by halal productproducers to protect halal integrity through the use of halal logistics will enhance the level ofcustomer satisfaction. The increase in customer satisfaction occurs because customers feel appreciated by the efforts of halal product producers to safeguard halal integrity and ensure they receive products with genuine halal value. The increase in customer satisfaction is crucial in cultivating loyalty towards a particular halal product. Consumer loyalty will ensure repeatedpurchases of a halal product, directly boosting the profits of the halal product producers.
Moreover, by striving to use halal logistics to protect halal integrity, halal product producers
can enhance their competitive edge. This increase in competitiveness aids halal product producers in expanding their market and growing their market share for halal products. Directly, halal

172

Halal Logistics and Halal Integrity Protection

product producers who endeavour to preserve halal integrity through the use of halal logistics
can benefit from three distinct contexts. Firstly, it assures the preservation of the authenticity ofhalal product values. The use of halal logistics helps halal product producers ensure the integrityof halal products. Any guarantees of quality, wholesomeness, and the authenticity of halal values
promised to consumers remain upheld throughout the supply chain activities.
The second context pertains to sustainable halal practice management. Through the use ofhalal logistics, halal product producers can manage halal practices to be at their best throughout
the supply chain activities. Risks of being deceived by suppliers of raw materials into purchasing
non-halal materials or the negligence of purchasing non-halal raw materials can be avoided. Thisrisk can be avoided because if the purchased or ordered raw material is non-halal, it will fail tobe transported out of the supplierʼs premises. This is because halal logistics providers will conduct inspections beforehand to ensure that the raw material to be managed is halal and comeswith valid halal documentation. Indirectly, the risk of receiving non-halal raw materials at the
raw material receiving terminal of the halal product producerʼs factory will be avoided.
The third context pertains to commercial considerations. Employing halal logistics to protect
halal integrity can have a positive impact on halal product producers. The improvement of company image, customer satisfaction, and consumer trust and loyalty towards products made withthe use of halal logistics can yield a positive effect on the value of subscriptions to halal products.
Directly, the profits of halal product producers will increase as their market share for halal products grows. Halal product producers who use halal logistics to safeguard halal integrity will beseen as a company that not only prioritizes profit but also aims to implement comprehensive andeffective halal management practices.
5.

Conclusion
The use of halal logistics is a crucial element in the ongoing efforts of halal product produc-

ers to safeguard halal integrity throughout the supply chain activities. Through the utilization ofhalal logistics, halal product producers can ensure the preservation of halal integrity from thephase of purchasing raw materials all the way to the products reaching consumersʼ hands. Cases
involving compromises to halal integrity serve as prime examples to be learned from, particularly
when halal practices are implemented solely at the production level. Case of cross-contaminationof halal products in the market, as observed in the United Kingdom and Malaysia, can be avoided
through the use of halal logistics. Similarly, various other cases involving halal products that havebeen contaminated at the production stage can also be prevented from entering the market if halal logistics are employed.
Halal product producers need to exhibit a high level of awareness regarding the significanceof halal logistics in managing issues related to halal integrity protection. The level of awarenessof halal product producers regarding the importance of halal logistics can easily be determined.
Producers who have implemented halal logistics can be seen as possessing substantial information and awareness about the benefits of using halal transportation and warehousing. Producers
who utilize halal logistics can be perceived as business entities committed to practicing compre-

173hensive halal activities throughout the supply chain. On the other hand, halal product producers
who continue to employ conventional logistics need to be provided with better and continuous
explanations. The role of providing explanations and awareness can be shared jointly between local authorities and halal logistics providers.
Efforts to protect halal integrity are not a seasonal endeavour nor should they solely focus on
the production stage. Every entity within the halal supply chain should play their respective roles
to ensure that efforts to protect halal integrity are carried out more effectively. Halal logistics
providers should collaborate and work hand in hand with halal product producers and local authorities to promote the adoption of halal logistics. Through the collaboration of all parties, the effort to establish an improved halal ecosystem with more effective and sustainable halal integrity
protection can be realized.

174