Guide to Halal Certificate Application for Chain Restaurant

What is a Chain Restaurant?

• One of Malaysia’s halal certification schemes for domestic applications is the chain restaurant.
• A chain restaurant is described as a food premises with three or more locations that use the same brand and follow standard business methods such as centralised kitchens, centralised purchasing, and other business practises, as well as franchise restaurants.

Application Requirements and Criterion

• The requirements and criteria that must be met by chain restaurants are listed below:

1. Possess a valid certificate of business registration from Malaysia’s Companies Commission (SSM).
2. Possess a local authority’s business licence or approval (PBT).
3. Possess a valid BKKM food premises registration certificate (FOSIM).
4. Before applying for halal certification, a new outlet must be fully operational for at least three months.
5. Produce and/or operate exclusively halal products, including trade products, and comply to halal regulations.
6. Apply the halal application to any menu that is still being made or presented on the premises.
7. The name of the company, product, menu, ingredients, and brand of the product used shall not include the word ‘halal’ in any statement or description to indicate that it is suitable for Muslim consumption.
8. Food outlets with central kitchens must first apply for halal certification through the ‘food and beverage scheme.’
9. Each outlet of a chain restaurant operating under the same brand must submit a halal application, which must be controlled centrally.

Non-applicable Application

• The applications listed below are not eligible:

1. Produce products or menus that are not halal.
2. The use of the same brand for both halal and non-halal goods or services (subject to application in Malaysia).
3. Any misleading terminology such as ham, bak kut teh, bacon, beer, rum, hot dog, char siew, and the like are used in company names, goods, menus, and brands that relate to non-halal products or synonyms or similar to non-halal products.
4. Non-halal food restaurants that provide and serve non-halal cuisines.

Fee Application

Malaysian Halal Management System (MHMS) Requirement

• On the basis of the MHMS Manual 2020, a Halal Assurance System (HAS) should be designed at the company level and implemented in each location.

1. During the period of operation or shift, at least one Malaysian Muslim permanent worker must be appointed and work in the premise.
2. Halal executives must be appointed at the executive or central kitchen levels of the company.
3. At the level of company management or the central kitchen, an internal halal committee should be formed.

Document & Records Evaluation

• Please make sure that all documents are complete and arranged in order for the evaluation to go successfully.

Auditing

• From loading bay to end good, the audit must cover all of the following areas:

1. Company and/or applicant profile
2. Stock physical of raw material or ingredient
3. Processing area
4. Storage area
5. Tools and equipment
6. Packaging, labelling and advertising
7. Transportation
8. Whole premise
9. Workers
10. Sanitation
11. Workers’ basis amenities

Certificate & Halal Logo

1. The company and/or applicant who was successful in the halal application should be given a two-year Halal Certificate;
2. The Malaysian Halal logo must be displayed in an appropriate location and/or on the menu display; and
3. The Malaysia Halal logo may not be used on products or menus that contain worship or religious symbols, as this may reflect negatively on Malaysia Halal certification.

• Halal certification in Malaysia is not compulsory, but those who seek it must follow all halal procedures, which adds value to market tools.
• Hopefully, this information can help chain restaurants better understand halal requirements and secure a halal certificate.

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