Islam is the third most-practiced religion in Singapore, and with over 700 million Singaporeans observing a Halal diet, getting Halal certification for your restaurant or food stall can open business opportunities for your company.
However, Halal certification must follow a strict set of regulations when it comes to serving food. The Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS), also known as the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, oversees Halal certification for all types of establishments in both food and food-related industries. Here's how to get Halal certification for your business:
How to Get a Halal Certificate (Singapore)
Halal certification is a voluntary application for restaurants in Singapore, under the Administration of the Muslim Law Act. Halal-certified establishments have the liberty to advertise their business as such, drawing in customers from the Muslim community in the country.
There are seven Halal certification schemes that restaurants and other food establishments can apply for. Make sure you're applying under the correct classification for your business to avoid getting your application rejected.
Requirements for Halal Certification
Restaurants must have food items considered Halal to apply for Halal certification. To obtain a valid Halal certificate, there are a couple of requirements that restaurants and retail food establishments must comply with. Here are the basic Halal certification requirements:
- Food items must be Halal, including all raw materials used in the Halal food preparation, as well as the Halal food preparation area scheme;
- Establishments serving Halal products must have a team of at least three (3) Muslim staff (Halal team) to oversee the preparation of Halal food;
- The Halal team must have a team leader and Muslim representative that has undergone a mandatory Halal Training programme through a MUIS-certified trainer;
- Food establishments must comply with the 10 principles of the Singapore MUIS Halal Quality Management System (HalMQ).
Applying for Halal Certification
The Halal certification application is done online, and is accessible to all businesses. Take note that your business must already fulfill the MUIS Halal Certification Conditions before applying online.
Step 1: Apply for Halal Certification at GoBusiness Licensing
All Halal certification applications are done through the GoBusiness Licensing. Create an account with the site, and apply for the Halal certification under the MUIS-approved licenses. Restaurants are classified under the Eating Establishment Scheme (EE Scheme).
Step 2: Fill in the Application Form
Fill in the application form according to the nature of your business. Halal certification schemes are classified by nature of business - from food to food-related industries. The most common Halal certification scheme applied for is for restaurants, but suppliers of raw materials and ingredients are also commonly applied for Halal certificates.
Documents you may need for MUIS Halal certification may include:
- Application form (Halal Questionnaire)
- Floor plan of premises applying
- Ingredients list
- Product labels
- Products to be certified as Halal
- Menu (if applicable)
- Shipment and logistics details of Halal food
- Veterinary public health certificate
- Photos of delivery vehicles, products, and labels
Step 3: Pay the Application Fee
Next, pay the application fee. Upon application, you will be required to pay 100% of the application fee, plus 40% of the Halal certification fee. Once the fees have been paid, MUIS will conduct an audit inspection to ensure that your business complies with the regulations set for Halal certification.
Step 4: Submit the Application, and Wait for Approval
Submit the application and wait for approval. The estimated processing time for Halal certificates is around 40 to 60 days, which is why it is pertinent to ensure that you submit all necessary supporting documents, and ensure that your business has fully met the MUIS halal certification conditions.
Step 5: Ensuring Compliance
To maintain the Halal status, and Halal certification of your restaurant or food establishment, you will need to ensure compliance according to the Singapore MUIS Halal Standards. This includes assurance that your Halal food and food preparation area are up to standards. Halal certification is valid for one year, after which you will need to renew your Halal certification.
Maintaining Halal Certification
Ensuring compliance is a must to maintain your Halal status. MUIS does an audit inspection each time you apply for certification, and will oversee the food being prepared in the premises. To maintain Halal certification for your business, you must make sure that:
- There is no alcohol included in the food preparation process;
- Animals are slaughtered in Islamic manner;
- Meat does not come from animals that have been dead before slaughtering;
- There is no pork product in the dish, including cross-contamination;
- There is no blood served;
- There are no carnivores with teeth, and birds of prey served;
- Others.
Get Certified with WealthBridge
Get your Halal certification with WealthBridge. Our corporate services will ease doing business in Singapore, so you can focus on bringing the best-quality products to your customers. Let us handle your Halal certification, and ensure happy customers in your business.
Give us a call today to get started on your business incorporation!