Increasingly, consumers are questioning the halal status of the food they consume, including from small traders such as Meatball Carts or gerobak bakso. For some business actors, this question raises concerns. Does a small business like that have to be halal certified? What is the procedure? Can it be done through a free route?
As public awareness of the importance of halal products increases, food business actors are also beginning to feel the impact. One of them is a bakso cart trader in the Bekasi area, who admitted that his business is now starting to pick up with buyers. Some customers have even started asking about the halal status of his bakso. This question then opens up the anxiety that many other MSME actors also feel: do small businesses like his need to be halal certified? Is the process complicated and expensive? Can they use a free route, such as self-declaration?
Responding to this, Dr. Ir. Sugiarto, M.Si., a senior auditor from the Halal Inspection Body (LPH) LPPOM, provided a clear but easy-to-understand explanation. According to him, in the world of halal certification, not all products have the same level of risk. Meat-based products such as meatballs are included in the category of high-risk raw materials.
This means that this product cannot be submitted through the self-declaration or independent halal statement route, which is only intended for low-risk products, such as non-animal dry foods, which do not require in-depth audits of their ingredients and production processes. Because they contain meat, meatballs carry the risk of contamination with unclean or haram elements; therefore, the halal verification process must be carried out thoroughly, from the source of raw materials to the processing kitchen.
One common concern is the possibility of requiring an audit up to the Slaughterhouse (RPH). However, Dr. Sugiarto reassured us that this is not always necessary. If traders purchase meat directly from a halal-certified RPH and can provide proof of purchase, along with a copy of the halal certificate, then the audit process can be carried out up to that stage. The audit will only be continued to the RPH if the raw materials are purchased from the market or suppliers without adequate halal information, because auditors are required to ensure that the entire supply chain is entirely free from haram and unclean elements.
Regarding the obligation to obtain halal certification for meatball cart businesses, Dr. Sugiarto firmly stated that this type of business must also hold a halal certificate. This provision refers to Government Regulation No. 42 of 2024, which states that all food and beverage products distributed and traded in Indonesia must be halal certified, except for products that are explicitly prohibited; even then, they must be labeled as “not halal.” This means that there is no difference between large and small businesses in terms of certification obligations. As long as the public consumes the product, its halal status must be guaranteed.
Then what if the trader has several carts operating in various locations? Dr. Sugiarto explained that this depends on the operating system implemented. If each cart has a different kitchen, production, or raw material supplier, then each business unit needs to be clearly listed in the certification scope or certified separately. However, if all carts draw supplies from the same central kitchen, then the certification process can be managed collectively in a single system. This approach will undoubtedly be more efficient and affordable for business actors.
At the end of his explanation, Dr. Sugiarto emphasized that halal certification is not just administrative compliance, but a form of moral responsibility towards consumers. When customers ask about the halal status of a product, it is a sign of trust that must be answered with commitment and official evidence. LPPOM and related institutions continue to strive to present a system that is more friendly to MSMEs, both in terms of technical education and costs. Halal certification is a strategic step to expand the market, increase credibility, and, of course, achieve blessings in business.
For meatball traders and other micro-entrepreneurs, now is the ideal time to take the next step. The halalness of a product is not only an added value but has become a standard of consumer trust. With adequate assistance and information, the halal certification process can be carried out with confidence and optimism, rather than as a burden, but rather as a form of responsibility and investment in the future.
Therefore, LPH LPPOM always opens a discussion space for every business actor whose products have not yet been halal certified through the Customer Care service at Call Center 14056 or WhatsApp 0811-1148-696. In addition, business actors can also learn more about the flow and process of halal certification by attending the Introduction to Halal Certification (PSH) class, which is held routinely every 2nd and 4th week of each month https://halalmui.org/pengenalan-sertifikasi-halal/.
For those of you who have food and beverage packaging products that do not yet have halal certification, choose LPH LPPOM as your partner in the halal certification process immediately. You can also check the list of halal-certified products inspected by LPPOM through the website www.halalmui.org, the Halal MUI application, which can be downloaded from the Play Store, and complete information on the BPJPH website https://bpjph.halal.go.id/. (YN)
