Bored of the ifthar menu?
Try seafood as an alternative to your ifthar menu. These days, there are plenty of seafood restaurants serving a variety of “contemporary” menus that are widely popular among Millennials. For example, a combination of processed seafood with pasta or french fries.
This menu has attracted Indonesian people from various circles. When viewed in general, seafood is indeed an ingredient that is not critical in terms of its halal. However, it is different if the material has gone through a process by mixing other additional ingredients. Some quite critical ingredients are cooking oil, flour, and flavor.
The commonly used cooking oil is usually clear golden yellow, with a distinctive aroma, far from the rancid smell of crude oil. This is because the oil has gone through a purification process and absorbs unwanted odors, using a purifier and odor absorber made of activated carbon.
“If the activated carbon comes from mining products or wood charcoal, then there is no problem. However, if using bone charcoal, it must be ensured that it comes from halal animals slaughtered according to Islamic rules,” said Advisor of Halal Audit Service LPPOM MUI, Dr. Ir. Mulyorini R. Hilwan, M.Si.
Wheat flour is usually used as a marinade for seafood to get a crunchy texture on the outside or as a pasta ingredient. Flour is known to be rich in carbohydrates, but less in vitamins and minerals. To enrich its nutrient content, several food additives are often added as wheat flour fortification, which includes: iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and folic acid. These vitamins change their status to non-halal when they are produced microbiologically using non-halal media.
Related to flavor, the Director of LPPOM MUI Halal Audit Services, Dr. Ir. Muslich, MSc said that one type of flavor can consist of 70 ingredients. It absolutely cannot be seen with the bare eyes and knowledge of the process and materials is needed through laboratory testing.
Therefore, it would be better if we choose a halal-certified seafood restaurant. Fish and Chips from Fish Streat, for example. The restaurant has officially received a halal certificate with a Halal Assurance System (SJH) certificate with an A (Very Good) value since March 2, 2021.
According to Muhammad Ikra, one of the founders of Fish Streat, halal certification is very important to provide a sense of security and comfort for consumers. In addition, this is a form of compliance by business actors in complying with the regulations of Act Number 33 of 2014 concerning Halal Product Assurance (UU JPH).
To obtain a halal certificate takes seriousness from business actors. Muhammad Ikra said that his party had made various preparations in the previous year. The preparation includes employee training, implementation of Halal Assurance System (SJH), and going through an audit process with LPPOM MUI.
“We are delighted that we can finally officially receive the MUI Halal Certificate. We have a deep willingness to obtain the MUI Halal Certificate as part of our desire to serve delicious, halal, and thayyib food for consumers in Indonesia,” he said. (YN)
