A Critical Analysis on the Regulation of the Imported Halal Food Products in Brunei Darussalam

Abstract

Brunei Darussalam has a great international Islamic reputation where the halal standards and regulation of Brunei are likely the most extensive and stringent. Accordingly, all food products import into Brunei Darussalam, whether they arrived by land, sea, or air, must be registered in order to guarantee that the food imported and distributed in Brunei Darussalam is suitable for human consumption and complies with all applicable laws. Thus, the objectives of this research are to know the regulation of imported halal food products in Brunei Darussalam, to analyse the issue and to examine the impact on the regulation of imported halal food products. hence, to satisfy the objectives of the research, a qualitative method was employed. Data has been collected using primary data sources, where semi-structured interview was conducted with three selected organizations mainly from government agencies: Halal Control Food Division (BKMH), Brunei Darussalam Food Authority (BDFA) and Royal Customs and Excise Department (RCED). Findings showed that the relevant laws regarding the importation of halal food products are Halal Meat Act Chapter 183, Halal Certificate and Halal Label order 2005 and Public Health (food) Act Chapter 182 and Public Health (food) Regulation (R1, Chapter 182). With that, the government has reportedly enacted various laws regulating the importation of food products where it is sufficient to protect consumers. However, there are still need an improvement in the legislation in implementing and reinforcing the importation of halal food products.