Tangerang. The Indonesian Ulema Council Assessment Agency for Food, Drug and Cosmetics (LPPOM MUI) has recently issued a halal certificate for multi-format modern retailer Matahari Putra Prima or MPPA.

On Oct. 2019, MUI announced that halal certification is mandatory for consumer products and related services. Companies that fail to meet product requirements as prescribed by Islamic law after getting certified will be fined by up to Rp 2 billion ($128,427) or sentenced up to five years of imprisonment.

Indonesia has the world’s biggest Muslim population in the world. According to the government data, more than 85 percent of the country’s more than 272 million people are Muslims.

In response, MPPA has implemented the halal assurance system into both of its line of operations and support. The company is also the country's first modern retailer to have its entire 146 outlets, three distribution centers and head office halal-certified.

"The halal certificate empowers MPPA in offering the best retail services for customers to fulfill their household needs and welcome the festivities of Ramadan which will begin next week," MPPA corporate secretary and director Danny Konjongian said in Tangerang, Banten, on Friday.

After a lengthy audit for the past 18 months, MUI finally gave MPPA the green light for various categories - Hyfresh meat and poultry, Hyfresh fruits and vegetables, Bakemart baked goods, Delibon Café ready-to-eat products, and the entire retail and service chains.

Danny said that MPPA is committed to maintain its halal integrity throughout their entire supply chains including the point of sale service and product delivery. The company is also seeking to have its future outlets certified.

"Previously, we have scored several certifications in food safety management system, quality management system and halal management system as part of our protocol," he said.

With the halal certification, MPPA will also beef up its hygiene protocols on its recently launched delivery services including Hypermart Mobile, Chat & Shop as well as drive-in Park & Pickup.