The Need for Halal Assurance Management Systems:
An Analysis in Brunei Darussalam
jhsr.210005
Nor Surilawana Sulaiman*
Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali, Brunei Darussalam
Norkhairiah Hashim
Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali, Brunei Darussalam
Nurninashahawana Osmara
Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali, Brunei Darussalam
*Corresponding author: surilawana.sulaiman@gmail.com
Abstract
COVID-19 which is caused by SARS-Cov-2 is a zoonotic respiratory epidemic that has been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a global public health emergency. Although there is no evidence associating food with the transmission of the virus causing COVID-19, yet people are very concerned with their consumption intake. Therefore, an abundance of precaution for this exposure have been taken which one of them is Halal Assurance Management System (HAMS). HAMS is one of the ways of mitigating the risk of a future outbreak like COVID-19 by ensuring all ingredients that are used in the products and the process from beginning to end is halal compliant. Hence, the aim of this study is to address the need for HAMS to be introduced in Brunei Darussalam for the halal industry. This study will focus on analyzing population awareness of the implementation of HAMS in halal service industries especially in the food and beverages (F&B) sector. The study is conducted using an online questionnaire comprising 100 local Muslim participants, and collecting secondary data through reliable documents, articles, and sources. Based on this study, it is found that despite 94% respondents being aware of the halal industry in Brunei, only 46% of them are aware of the importance of HAMS in the halal industry. Therefore, it is expected that relevant authorities and parties promote awareness of this system among the public.
Keywords: halal assurance management systems, halal industry, Brunei Darussalam, COVID-19, halal certification