Aceh International Halal Food Festival 2017 to focus on certification

Aceh International Halal Food Festival 2017 to focus on certification

Indonesia Travel Destinations

The issue regarding halal food has become a hot topic following the release of Qanun Nomor 8 Tahun 2016 about Halal product assurance system.

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According to Food and Drug Analysis Agency (LPPOM) MPU Aceh, Deni Candra, apart from using halal ingredients, a halal-certified food should also consider other elements such as the process, facility, hygiene and sanitation.

In line with this matter, Aceh is set to hold Aceh International Halal Food Festival 2017 that will run from August 18 to 20. 

“This is a huge event where we can discuss the issue of halal food to society. There will also be guests from Thailand and Malaysia who will talk to us about halal certification in their respective country,” said Deni. 

The three-day event will be held at Taman Sari and will be joined by local and international food entrepreneurs as well as LPPOM MPU Aceh.

“Visitors will also be treated to an array of traditional dishes from 23 regencies and cities in Aceh.  They can also enjoy other traditional and international delicacies and visit the food truck festival zone,” added tourism ministry's head of Cultural Promotion, Wawan Gunawan.

Tourism minister Arief Yahya said that being a country with the largest Muslim population in the world doesn’t mean that Indonesia gets a free pass from obtaining the halal certification.

He furthermore explained that the certification has strategic impact towards tourism. A non-muslim majority country can attract plenty of muslim tourists through the halal certificate.

An example is Singapore, a small country that welcomes 3.5 million more muslim tourists than Indonesia.

“The first thing that we need is certification, the second one is providing service that fits the international standard. One evidence is Thailand, a non muslim-majority country yet it has plenty of muslim tourists,” said Arief. (asw)

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