What is JAKIM Halal Certification?
JAKIM (Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia) is Malaysia's Department of Islamic Development, the government body responsible for issuing official halal certification for food, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals distributed in Malaysia. JAKIM certification is the highest-authority halal standard in Southeast Asia and is mutually recognised in over 70 countries worldwide.
For foreign brands targeting Malaysia, halal certification is effectively mandatory. Approximately 63% of Malaysia's population is Muslim, and without halal certification, access to major retail chains, hypermarkets and e-commerce platforms is blocked.
A single JAKIM certification opens doors to Indonesia, Brunei, the Middle East, Central Asia and other Islamic markets globally. It signals compliance with one of the world's most rigorous halal standards.
MS1500:2019 — What Foreign Brands Must Know
MS1500:2019 is Malaysia's national halal food standard, published by the Department of Standards Malaysia (DSM). It is the direct benchmark for JAKIM certification audits. The 2019 revision is currently in force.
| Area | Requirement | Key Risk for Foreign Brands |
|---|---|---|
| Raw material halal status | All ingredients must be halal-sourced with certificates or equivalent documentation | Unverified suppliers are an immediate block |
| Pork & alcohol prohibition | Pork-derived ingredients and functional ethanol are strictly prohibited | Gelatin, collagen, glycerin must be verified |
| Cross-contamination | No contact with non-halal substances; dedicated lines or validated cleaning required | Shared production lines are high risk |
| Manufacturing hygiene | HACCP-equivalent hygiene management required | HACCP-certified facilities have an advantage |
| Labelling | Ingredient names, quantities, manufacturer and origin must match the application exactly | Any mismatch triggers rejection |
| Storage & logistics | Dedicated halal storage/transport or validated segregation procedures | Verify local distribution partner compliance |
Ingredients produced through enzymatic, fermentation or microbial culture processes — such as hyaluronic acid, enzyme-modified stevia and probiotics — require separate halal documentation for their culture media, solvents and processing aids, even if the base ingredient is plant-derived. This is the single most frequent cause of rejection.
Step-by-Step JAKIM Certification Process
The full certification journey has seven stages. Thorough preparation at each stage compresses the overall timeline significantly.
Ingredient Pre-Screening
Screen every ingredient against MS1500:2019 before committing to the full certification process. Identify blockers early and eliminate the risk of costly reformulation. E-USTAZ delivers this within 24 hours.
Documentation Preparation
Compile halal certificates, COA reports, ingredient specifications, process flow diagrams and supplier information for every ingredient. Complete MPPHM Lampiran F, recording new, existing, changed and added ingredient statuses.
MYeHALAL Online Application
Submit product information and documentation through JAKIM's official portal, MYeHALAL. All product names, ingredient names and manufacturer details must match the physical label exactly — any discrepancy results in rejection.
Document Review
JAKIM auditors review all submitted documentation. Supplementary information requests must be responded to within 14 days. Ingredient issues discovered at this stage result in rejection or mandatory product modification.
On-Site Audit
JAKIM auditors inspect the manufacturing facility. Foreign factories can be audited by JAKIM-recognised inspection bodies in their home country. Production lines, ingredient storage and hygiene management are all assessed.
Halal Committee Review
JAKIM's internal halal committee conducts final deliberation based on document review and audit findings. Certification is granted if no outstanding issues remain.
Certificate Issuance & Maintenance
JAKIM halal certificates are valid for two years and require renewal audits. Any changes to ingredients, manufacturers or suppliers must be reported to JAKIM immediately.
Realistic Costs and Timelines
| Item | Estimated Cost | Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ingredient pre-screening | USD 500 / product | 24 hours | Provided by E-USTAZ |
| Documentation (consulting) | USD 2,000–5,000 | 1–3 months | With external consultant |
| MYeHALAL application fee | MYR 300–1,000 | — | Varies by product category |
| On-site audit (foreign factory) | USD 1,500–3,000 | 1–2 months lead time | Via recognised inspection body |
| Full certification project | USD 15,000–25,000+ | 6–12 months | Provided by Team8 Partners |
The most expensive outcome in halal certification is discovering a blocking ingredient during the on-site audit stage. Pre-screening eliminates this risk upfront. USD 500 invested before the process protects against USD 10,000+ in rework and re-application costs.
High-Risk Ingredients in Foreign Brand Formulations
The following ingredients appear frequently in food, supplement and cosmetic formulations from foreign brands and require special attention in JAKIM screening.
| Ingredient | Risk Reason | Likely Verdict | Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gelatin | May be porcine or bovine-derived | HARAM possible | Fish gelatin with halal certificate |
| Glycerin | Animal, plant or synthetic origin must be distinguished | MUSHBOOH | Plant-based or synthetic with documentation |
| Hyaluronic Acid | Fermentation media and substrate halal status | MUSHBOOH | Non-animal culture media declaration |
| Collagen | Fish, porcine or bovine origin must be verified | MUSHBOOH | JAKIM-certified fish collagen |
| Enzyme-modified Stevia | Enzyme origin and culture media | MUSHBOOH | Non-animal enzyme and solvent evidence |
| Probiotics / Lactobacillus | Culture media, substrate and carrier halal status | MUSHBOOH | Media documentation + certified ingredients |
| Natural Flavours | Carrier solvent, emulsifier and residual alcohol | MUSHBOOH | Halal flavour certificate + solvent declaration |
| Carmine / Cochineal | Insect-derived colouring | HARAM | Replace with plant-based colourants |
| Functional Ethanol | Prohibited when used for functional purposes | HARAM | Alternative solvent required |
| L-Cysteine | May be derived from human hair or animal sources | HARAM possible | Fermentation-derived with full documentation |
Screen your ingredients before you invest.
Submit your ingredient list today. Receive your full halal pre-screening report — including pass probability, blocked ingredients and certified alternatives — within 24 hours.
→ Submit Ingredient ListFrequently Asked Questions
E-USTAZ Pre-Screening Service
E-USTAZ is developed and operated by Team8 Partners — a MIHA-registered strategic partner with real-time access to MS1500:2019 updates. Submit your ingredient list and receive a full pre-screening report within 24 hours, including pass probability, ingredient-level verdicts, certified alternatives and a certification roadmap.
| Feature | E-USTAZ | Consultant | In-House |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | USD 500 / product | USD 3,000+ | Staff & time |
| Turnaround | 24 hours | 4–12 weeks | Months |
| Standard accuracy | MS1500:2019 real-time | Varies | Expertise required |
| Languages | 5 (EN/BM/KO/ZH/JA) | Limited | One language |
| Scholar review | Included (Ustaz-validated) | Extra fee | Not available |
Your ingredient list is all it takes.
Submit today. Receive your comprehensive halal pre-screening report within 24 hours.
→ Start Pre-Screening Now