Mondelez eyes wider compliance to halal rules

MANILA, Philippines - Snack food manufacturer Mondelez Philippines Inc. (MPI), formerly Kraft Foods Philippines, intends to continue its compliance with halal production guidelines to meet the growing market demand for food products that adhere to Muslim law.

Citing data from the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report, MPI said the global halal market is growing on the back of an increasing Muslim population and is expected to expand between four to six percent annually until 2020 to $233 billion.

With Islam as the second-largest religion in the Philippines, MPI said it began to certify its products as halal as early as 2001.

Halal food are those that do not consist of or contain anything considered unlawful under Islam. These are food and drinks that do not contain any alcohol or pork.

“The company makes sure that that food safety and quality is strictly observed end-to-end, from the ingredients being used to the processes employed in production,” MPI said.

“Halal standards state, among others, that the food product must not been prepared, processed, transported, stored and have not been in direct contact with any food, drink or raw material considered as Haraam, such as food of animal origin, intoxicating and hazardous plants and alcoholic drinks,” the firm added.

MPI said its products such as Eden Cheese, Cheez Whiz, Eden Mayo, Eden Sandwich Spread and Eden Magic Whirl have been certified as satisfactorily implementing the Halal Assurance System of the local governing body, the Islamic Da’Wah Council of the Philippines (IDCP).

The company said its powdered beverage Tang is also halal-certified by the IDCP, while Oreo and Cadbury Dairy Milk are certified by Majelis Ulama Indonesia.

 “Our global mission as a company is to create delicious moments of joy. We want to make sure that our products give joy to anyone, anywhere. Apart from creating delicious food, we aim to produce high quality products that are not only safe but also meet Halal requirements,” MPI country head Ashish Pisharodi said.

MPI’s products such as Eden Cheese, Cheez Whiz, Kraft Cheddar, Miracle Whip, Eden Mayo and Eden Sandwich Spread are manufactured at the firm’s plant in Paranaque City, while the other products are imported.