As the demand for halal certification is increasing in the industry worldwide, the processing lines of halal products right up to packaging, handling, storage, transportation and distribution must comply with the halal requirements. According to Islamic Law, najis mughallazah is considered as a severe najis derived from dogs and pigs. Halal foods, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products re considered najis if they are contaminated or come in direct contact with this najis. In cleansing a severe najis, Islam requires proper cleaning through 7 steps of washings and one of which shall be water mixed with soil/day.
Industrial application requires some modification of traditional practice of using any soil or clay at any level of concentration. A specific samak soil/clay standard for industrial application is needed to meet the halal requirement as well as meeting the specifications of the equipment or machineries. In addition, it must comply with safety and quality of the products manufactured as well as the regulation and guidelines practiced. It is also very important not to cause any damage to· the equipment and devices involved.
As potential samak clay for industrial application, the physical and chemical characterizations of the local clays have been carried out as well as their effectiveness in· cleaning the najis. In addition, the safety aspect such as heavy metal content and microbial load were analysed for consumer safety.
The samak clay being developed will be available with the material safety data sheet (MSDS) and the specifications that meet the halal and industrial requirements. It will be available locally in abundance, cheaper, safer and easy to use with complete instruction. The development of local clay for samak application that complies with halal requirements can contribute significantly to the overall growth of the halal industry. Hence, it will enhance the general consumers confidence in the halal products.
by Norrahimah Kassim, Puziah Hashim, Dzulkifly Mat Hashim and Hamdan Jol. (Researcher's)
Date of Input: 07/09/2018 | Updated: 11/01/2022 | salehan
Universiti Putra Malaysia, Putra Infoport, 43400 UPM Serdang Selangor