Obligations of Business Actors to Publish Halal Labels in Food as a Form of Legal Protection for Muslim Consumers

Abstract

Article 4 jo Article 25 of the Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 33 of 2014 concerning Guarantees of Halal Products regulates obligations for Business Actors who trade in their products-including food-in Indonesia "must be halal certified" and "must include halal labels". One of the considerations of the issuance of the Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 33 of 2014 is the state's obligation to guarantee that every religion adherent is to worship and carry out his religious teachings, including providing protection and guarantees about halal products consumed and used by the community. The obligation of food business actors to include halal labels on food is also regulated in Article 97 of the Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 18 of 2012 concerning Food. This article states that the labeling on food packaging includes "halal information for those required". Based on the findings of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency regarding halal labels on food products, the results showed that 11,243 met the provisions of halal labels and 693 did not fulfill the provisions of halal labels. This study uses normative juridical research methods. The approach used is the legislative approach and the conceptual approach. The results of the study show that Law Number 33 of 2014 which requires businesses to have halal certificates and include halal labels is more beneficial for food businesses even though they must meet the requirements and follow certain procedures. The advantage is that food with halal labels has a larger market share because the population in Indonesia is predominantly Muslim. On the other hand, Muslim consumers are guaranteed their right to consume halal food products as required in Islam.