RESTAURANTS are rushing to submit applications for halal accreditation, and many are finding it a lengthy process.
Recently, His Majesty's government has made it mandatory for eateries that serve halal food to obtain a halal certification by December 31, 2013.
Failure to do so will have their miscellaneous (business) licenses terminated or revoked. (source)
Recently, His Majesty's government has made it mandatory for eateries that serve halal food to obtain a halal certification by December 31, 2013.
Failure to do so will have their miscellaneous (business) licenses terminated or revoked. (source)
"It is a very lengthy process that needs time to do. I do not know anyone yet who has gotten their accreditation on the first try," said a Thai restaurant owner who wishes to remain anonymous.
She said that this was her third attempt, adding that she was having difficulty securing the licence due to the language barrier, which make filling in the forms and communicating with the suppliers to get the forms and applications to suit the criteria challenging.
She added that the application requires each ingredient used in the menu to be submitted along with the halal papers which she has to obtain from suppliers.
"It can be done, but it takes a long time to do it, and this is something that needs a few months to do, especially if I have a restaurant to run," she said.
Hairawati Hj Ibrahim, administrative officer of Charcoal, said that the process is "difficult".
"This is the second time we are submitting it, because the first one needed more documents, and what we had to do is that get the halal papers for each of the ingredients that we have and serve on the menu and submit it," she said.
She added that if they were to change or expand their menu, they would have to re-apply for the halal accreditation, but it would take some effort.
"This took us a few months to compile before we submitted them, and hopefully everything this time will be fine."
It was announced recently that the Brunei Islamic Religious Council planned to extend the validity period of the halal certification to three years, to ease business processes and operations.
"It was not so difficult to list the ingredients, but it took a long time to compile the application," said Tess Leonarda, manager of Nyonya restaurant.
She added that this was the second time that the establishment was submitting its application after failing the first time, despite hiring a consultant who failed to meet the requirements for applying for the halal certification.
One eatery is still compiling its ingredients, and the owner is finding out more from her peers who have already applied for the certification.
"It is a tough job and I heard from my cousin that it takes one or two months to do," said Elaine Pang, owner of Country Patch Cafe.
She added that she has yet to start applying, but said she would make the deadline.
"It is a long process, and everything from the sauces to the side dishes we use has to come with halal certification," said Pang.
But restaurants are in agreement that getting the halal certification, though a tenuous process, would help them with giving their customers peace of mind when dining in their establishments. "I think that it won't change our business and our operations, but we would feel proud to have the certification in the restaurant to show that we are halal," said Leonarda.
"Having a Thai restaurant, and because we are not Bruneians, we do get a few customers asking if our restaurant is halal, and once we get this certificate, then they will feel better eating at our shop," said the Thai restaurant owner.
Pang said: "I don't think it will change much of how the business is conducted, but it will be good to have the certificate."
It was reported that as of May this year, 46 companies and restaurant operators that have been deemed halal by the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) received their certifications from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
The council's secretary, Hj Abdul Wahab Hj Sapar, confirmed that a total of 26 restaurants in Brunei are officially accredited and have been awarded the halal certification by the council, while 20 food processing companies of halal food products were awarded the halal Certification and halal permit for 290 products in the country.
Among the restaurants and eateries accredited are A Ayam Berjaya Restaurant, Aneka Rasa, Excellent Taste, Fratini's Restaurant, I-Lotus Restaurant, KFC, Royal Brunei Catering Express Fast Food, Riviera Cafe, Seasons Restaurant, Tarindak and The Airport Restaurant.
Marimin Sdn Bhd, Bakerlyn, PDS Meat Industries Sdn Bhd, RBC Aircraft Catering Centre, Sabli Food Industries, BMC and Kingston were among the companies listed in the 20 accredited producers of Halal food products.
The Brunei Times
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