The number of halal-certified cafes is increasing. It is OldTown of PT Jacob Thirta Hutama with the halal certificate number ID00410000248300622, which was issued on August 10, 2023. The official halal certificate handover ceremony was held on September 11, 2023, at Oldtown White Coffee Trunojoyo, Jakarta.
Halal Partnership and Audit Services Director of LPPOM MUI, Muslich, said that with halal certification, OldTown has done two things: complying with regulations and meeting consumer needs. As is known, halal certification is part of the regulatory obligations that business actors must comply with. Cafes or restaurants like this are included in the category that must be certified halal.
“Cafes or restaurants are included in the first stage of halal certification, which will be performed on October 17, 2024. This stage refers to Government Regulation No. 39 of 2021. I think OldTown’s halal certification is the right step,” explained Muslich.
He emphasized that the state regulates the mandatory halal certificate mechanism. In this case, the Assessment Institute for Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics Indonesian Council of Ulama (LPPOM MUI) assists the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) in checking product halalness.
Second, halal certificates answer consumer needs. In the current era, where social media is moving massively, people are free to speak out, which can positively or negatively impact a business. If it is halal certified, then a product/outlet/cafe/restaurant can gain a lot of positive voices in society, primarily through social media.
“We hope that OldTown, which has implemented the Halal Product Assurance System (SJPH) very well, will be able to maintain the halal status of its products consistently. Hopefully, this will become a new selling point to add to OldTown’s success and blessings in expanding the market,” said Muslich.
Coordinator of Halal Certification at the Center for Halal Registration and Certification, BPJPH, Sukandar, appreciated OldTown’s awareness and concern regarding obtaining halal certificates by carrying out checks through LPPOM MUI.
“The halal industrial sector is indeed one of the sectors that is part of the Sharia economy, which is currently being developed and is an effort in the post-pandemic economic recovery process. We are also encouraging halal products to play domestically and take up a niche in the global market. Like what OldTown did,” explained Sukandar.
He emphasized that business actors must carry out SJPH sustainably after obtaining a halal certificate. The validity period of halal certification is forever as long as there are no changes to the raw materials. This is the government’s effort to protect consumers while encouraging consumers to develop their businesses.
“We are delighted and proud because OldTown has been certified halal. In doing business, we must be able to guarantee that all our facilities are halal because this is the right of consumers, especially Muslims. Of course, after this, we will wholeheartedly maintain the halalness of the product. This is our commitment, always to provide the best to our consumers,” said Director of PT Jacob Thirta Hutama, Roy Atmadja. (YN)
