National

YLKI: Muslim consumers need halal protection

Kamis, 25 September 2014 | 00:53 WIB

Jakarta, NU Online
The Indonesian Consumer Foundation (YLKI) assessed that Muslim consumers needed a Halal Product Guarantee Bill to protect them from consuming foods tainted with haram (forbidden) substances. Head of YLKI, Tulus Abadi said that the guarantee of halal products would be felt, particularly by Muslim consumers.<>
"With the security guarantee of halal products, consumers will be protected," Abadi said on Tuesday.

In the other hand, the Bill can also impact consumer losses. It can trigger the price hike during the development and extension of halal certification. The additional surcharge will be imposed to consumers. The cost and laboratory expenses for halal testing can reach 5 million IDR per product. Company have to prepare the additional costs.

"All operational costs will be taken by company, including the audit team, which usually consists of two members," Abadi said.

The price increase will happen in medium business products, while large business will not be affected so much over the certification process. Abadi estimated that many small manufacturers could not comply the Bill.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq