Laboratories are vital in supporting the halal certification process, including at BPJPH. Through its laboratories, LPPOM sets high standards in halal testing, including cleanliness, quality, and product safety.
President Director of LPPOM, Muti Arintawati, appeared before world halal industry players and halal authorities from several countries at the IFANCA® 22nd International Halal Food Conference 2025 held in the United States. In her presentation entitled “The Role of Laboratory Testing in Halal Certification”, Muti emphasized that laboratories are not only technical instruments but crucial elements in building the credibility of a scientific, transparent, and trusted halal certification system.
“Laboratories play a vital role in supporting the halal certification process. Laboratory testing is a verification tool and objective evidence that strengthens fatwa decision-making,” said Muti, opening the fourth conference session.
Through its laboratory, LPPOM sets high standards in halal testing, including cleanliness, quality, and product safety. Supported by modern technology such as real-time PCR, LC-MS/MS, ICP-MS, and GC-FID, this laboratory serves various industries ranging from food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics to consumer products. The laboratory also plays a role in test development through membership in AOAC, the National Standardization Agency Technical Committee (BSN).
In her presentation, Muti outlined four leading roles of the laboratory in ensuring the accuracy of halal certification, including:
- Halal Testing Services: LPPOM Laboratory serves the halal testing needs of various Halal Inspection Body (LPH) in Indonesia and abroad. All services refer to international standards such as ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and OIC/SMIIC 35:2020, which regulate laboratory competence in handling non-halal materials in samples and reagents.
- Methodology Development: LPPOM also contributes to the advancement of halal testing methodology. The developed method is not only used internally but is also a reference in the preparation of halal standards both at the national and international levels. In this case, LPPOM, which is a member of the technical committee at the National Standardization Agency (BSN), plays an active role in the development of general pig DNA test methods (SNI ISO/TS 20224-3:2020), pig DNA tests on gelatin (SNI 9278:2024), and alcohol tests on beverages (SNI 8965:2021). This shows strategic LPPOM’s position in forming a scientific-based halal regulatory framework.
- Research for Fatwa Making: LPPOM’s laboratory actively supports the Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI) by providing scientific data needed in the fatwa-making process. The research covers various sensitive issues, such as ethanol levels in beverage products and active compounds in kratom leaves.
- Local Product/Reagent Innovation: To achieve national independence, LPPOM is also developing domestic halal reagent products that various laboratories can use in collaboration with Avicena Genetics.
“Halal is not just a label, but a guarantee system that must be based on science, data, and traceability. Therefore, laboratories are at the forefront of building the credibility of Indonesian halal certification in the eyes of the world,” said Muti.
Ending her presentation, Muti expressed her appreciation to IFANCA for organizing this global conference and opening up opportunities for broader collaboration between world halal certification institutions. “Global collaboration in the field of halal laboratories is the key to ensuring consistency of standards, mutual recognition, and strengthening the halal ecosystem as a whole,” she said.
The LPPOM MUI Laboratory is Indonesia’s first and only one to provide one-stop testing services for halal and vegan products. These services include testing for the content of haram ingredients such as pork and ethanol, validating raw materials, and consulting for business actors who do not yet have halal certificates.
Through the site https://e-halallab.com, industry players can see details of the available services. In addition, LPPOM also opens access to public information through Customer Care services at Call Center 14056 and WhatsApp 0811-1148-696 and holds routine Halal Certification Introduction (PSH) classes that can be followed online routinely on the 2nd and 4th week of each month https://halalmui.org/pengenalan-sertifikasi-halal/.
The public can also verify the halal status of products through the official website at www.halalmui.org, the Halal MUI application on the Google Play store, or the BPJPH portal at https://bpjph.halal.go.id.
With the presence of LPPOM in this global forum, Indonesia has once again demonstrated its capacity as a leader in the world’s halal ecosystem. This is not only in terms of fatwas and regulations but also from the strength of science and technology behind them. (YN)
