Psalmstre gets Halal certification

In its effort to penetrate the huge Middle Eastern market, Psalmstre Enterprises was able to get “Halal” certification for all its beauty product lines.

Psalmstre Enterprises, the maker of wide range of beauty products emphasizing on anti-aging and skin whitening, is now starting to enter the Middle East market, thus, certification for “Halal” was a priority requirement for the company.

In an interview with Jaime Acosta Jr., president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Psalmstre Enterprises, he said that the Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA) awarded his company a HALAL Certificate to all New Placenta brands beauty products, as well as its manufacturer Placenta Formula Cosmetics Company (PFCC), through the Executive Order (EO) 122-A that mandates OMA to promote and enhance the development of domestic trade and commerce among Muslim communities.

“With this development, we guarantee our loyal consumers that New Placenta by Psalmstre continues its commitment to provide effective and quality beauty products acceptable to all customs,” said Acosta.

Being one of the members of (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) ASEAN countries, the Philippines embraces the Halal System in conformity with the Philippine commitment to World Trade Organization (WTO), Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), Asean Free Trade Area (AFTA), Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the ASEAN.

According to Acosta, the Halal Certificate was given by Datu Tahir Sinsuat Lidasan Jr., Director IV of OMA last October 19, 2007.

Halal is an Arabic word which means lawful, permitted or accepted. It refers to food and non-food products which do not contain any ingredients that are filthy and cannot be cleaned or cleansed or those that come into contact with filth.

The global market has now a commanding demand on the promotion of Halal products. The demand for Halal food and non-food products is expected to grow in relation to increasing growth of population in Muslim communities.

Halal consumers for food and non-food will eventually become a major contributor to highly competitive and acceptable products for Muslim market, Acosta said.

Endorsed by 1979 Ms. International, Super Model, and Philippine Ambassador of Beauty, Melanie Marquez, New Placenta brand for soaps, lotion, toner, among others, is in full speed dominating the skincare market in the Philippines.

The company has also developed beauty products for younger generation, through the Olive C— brand name.

In the first quarter of this year, the company reported a 52 percent bottom line, beyond the company’s target for the first nine months of 2007.

The company claims that majority of its skin care products now lead the Philippine market, and slowly conquering the international market.

Psalmstre Enterprises was established in Cebu in the year 2000. Acosta said he purposely opened its first branch in Cebu seven years ago, because of his full belief that if a product will make a hit in Cebu, it will hit in other areas, including overseas.