JAKARTA – The definition of halal is undergoing significant transformation in the context of international trade. Ahmad Haikal Hasan, serving as Head of the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH), revealed an intriguing phenomenon about how the perception of halal has evolved globally.

From Religious Values to Universal Quality Standards

In a media gathering in Jakarta on Monday, October 6, 2025, the official commonly known as Babe Haikal explained that the concept of halal now transcends purely religious boundaries. The meaning of halal has transformed into a representation of broader aspects of product quality.

“The concept of halal has undergone a metamorphosis,” he stated. “Halal is no longer just about compliance with religious teachings, but has become a guarantee of cleanliness, health standards, information transparency, and the ability to trace the origin of products down to the raw materials used.”

Non-Muslim Countries Dominate Halal Production

One surprising fact revealed was about the world’s largest producers of halal products. Contrary to common assumptions, the largest halal product-producing countries are not from the Middle East region typically associated with Muslim populations.

This phenomenon shows that awareness of the importance of halal certification is actually developing rapidly in countries with non-Muslim majority populations. Many countries that traditionally have no significant Muslim population are now actively developing halal product industries and have their own halal certification systems.

Changing the Paradigm About Halal

Babe Haikal emphasized the importance of changing society’s perspective on halal labels. He reminded people to no longer exclusively associate halal with a particular religious identity.

“We must abandon the narrow thinking that considers halal only for Muslims, or conversely, associating non-halal products with non-Muslim groups,” he stressed. “We should no longer use such narratives.”

Global Halal Certification Trends

This shift is marked by an increasing number of countries adopting halal certification systems and developing their halal product exports. This demonstrates that the halal product market has become a promising business segment at the international level, regardless of a country’s religious background.

This transformation of halal’s meaning reflects how quality and product safety standards have become universal concerns in global trade, transcending the traditional boundaries that have long been attached to the halal concept.

Original Article:

Sindonews. (2025, October 6). Makna Halal Bergeser! Bukan Saudi Arabia, China Jadi Negara Penghasil Produk Halal Terbesar. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/amp/s/ekbis.sindonews.com/newsread/1629225/34/makna-halal-bergeser-bukan-saudi-arabia-china-jadi-negara-penghasil-produk-halal-terbesar-1759741827