Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) commended the company's efforts in ensuring that halal products in Indonesia continue to develop, so that the goods produced are easily accepted by the public.

"MUI appreciates all parties, especially those making efforts, so that halal products continue to develop and become bigger in Indonesia," MUI Chairman for Sharia and Halal Economics K.H. Sholahudin Al Aiyub noted in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday.

MUI also gave special awards to the MUI Assessment Institute for Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (LPPOM MUI) that has organized the 2023 Halal Award. This award is considered as a form of support and encouragement for the halal industry in Indonesia to continue to grow and develop.

Aiyub also expressed hope that the halal industry would become a main pillar in the Indonesian economy.

It is hoped that this will encourage positive competition in the development of halal products, contribute to the development of the halal ecosystem in Indonesia, and support the shared vision of making Indonesia the center for the largest producer of halal products in the world by 2024, he remarked.

One company that has received special recognition for developing halal products is PT Unilever Indonesia Tbk (Unilever).

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Unilever Indonesia President Director Ira Noviarti stated that the award from MUI would continue to encourage companies to develop innovations and programs that suit the needs of Muslim consumers. Unilever is also committed to continuing to advance the halal lifestyle in Indonesia.

"This award from MUI will continue to encourage us to develop innovations and programs that are in line with the needs of Muslim consumers while jointly advancing the halal lifestyle in Indonesia," Noviarti explained.

Noviarti stated that Unilever ensures that it not only focuses on providing products that meet people's needs but has also implemented a comprehensive Halal Guarantee System (SJH) from upstream to downstream.

In 2021, the Unilever Muslim Center of Excellence (Unilever MCOE) was officially launched and became a global research center regarding halal products. Through this center, Unilever consistently conducts research to understand the needs and trends of Muslim consumers in Indonesia.

At the 2023 Halal Award event, Unilever Indonesia fulfilled various criteria needed to win the Lifetime Achievement Award, including having the Halal Guarantee System (SJH) A status or an SJH Certificate, as well as being consistent in extending the Halal Certificate without any delays.

This company has also been LPPOM MUI's longest-standing partner since 1994, showing a strong commitment to its halal products.

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Translator: A Wijaya, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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