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Editorial note: Market figures cited in this article are estimates based on publicly available industry reports and may vary by source. HalalExpo.com aims to present the most current data available but readers should verify figures for business decisions. Sources include the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report, DinarStandard, and national halal authority publications.
Many food exporters focus their halal compliance efforts on formulation and production — ensuring that ingredients are permissible and that facilities are free from cross-contamination. Packaging, however, is an equally important dimension of halal compliance that is frequently underestimated. The materials used to make packaging, the inks and adhesives applied to it, the claims and marks displayed on it, and the language in which information is presented are all subject to halal standards and local regulatory requirements that vary by destination market.
Errors in packaging compliance can result in shipments being held at customs, products being de-listed by retailers, certificates being suspended, and — in markets where halal labelling is legally regulated — administrative penalties. This guide covers the key packaging requirements that food exporters must understand before entering halal markets.
The primary packaging that directly contacts food must be free from substances derived from prohibited sources. Potential compliance issues in common packaging materials include:
This is one of the most commonly overlooked areas of halal packaging compliance. Some printing inks — particularly those used in flexographic and gravure printing — contain alcohol-based solvents or animal-derived additives (such as shellac, which is derived from the lac insect). Similarly, adhesives used in lamination and labelling sometimes contain animal-derived binding agents.
The practical implication for exporters is that they should request halal compliance declarations from their packaging converters and ink suppliers. Certifiers in stringent markets — particularly JAKIM in Malaysia — may request documentation on inks and adhesives as part of the audit process.
Most halal standards focus their material requirements on primary (food-contact) packaging. Secondary packaging (outer cartons, corrugated boxes) and tertiary packaging (pallets, stretch wrap) are generally subject to less stringent material requirements, though some certifiers do require that secondary packaging not bear imagery or text that is offensive under Islamic principles.
A fundamental rule of halal labelling is that no halal claim, mark, or logo may appear on packaging unless the product has received valid certification from an accredited body authorising its use. Using a halal logo without certification — or using a logo from one certifier for a product certified by a different body — is fraudulent and can have serious legal consequences in markets where halal labelling is legally regulated.
Malaysia: Products bearing the JAKIM halal logo must use the officially approved JAKIM logo artwork without modification. The logo dimensions, colours (green is standard), and placement are specified in JAKIM's guidelines. Products may not use any logo that resembles the JAKIM logo without holding valid JAKIM certification.
Indonesia: MUI's halal logo has specific artwork requirements. Under BPJPH's framework, a new standardised halal label design is being rolled out. Exporters to Indonesia should verify the current approved mark format with BPJPH or their LPH (inspection body).
UAE/GCC: The UAE uses specific halal mark designs accredited by ESMA. GCC countries may each have slightly different approved marks. Exporters should ensure the mark used corresponds to the specific certifier and market.
General principle: When in doubt, display the certifier's name in text alongside their approved logo rather than creating your own halal iconography. Text-based claims ("Certified Halal by [Certifier Name] — Certificate No. [XXXX]") are generally lower risk than graphical halal marks if there is any uncertainty about logo rights.
Malaysia's Trade Descriptions Act and the Trade Descriptions (Definition of Halal) Order regulate halal claims. Making false halal claims is a criminal offence. Imported products bearing the JAKIM logo must hold valid JAKIM certification. Product labels must display the manufacturer's name and address, ingredient list, net weight, and country of origin in addition to any halal mark.
Indonesia's Halal Product Assurance Law mandates halal labelling (with the approved government halal mark) for all products covered by the regulation — a category that has been progressively expanded and includes most food and beverage products. Products without valid halal certification must explicitly state that they are "not halal" in specified categories. Labels must include a Bahasa Indonesia translation of key information for products sold domestically.
All imported food products require Arabic-language labels. The halal certificate number must appear on the label for products where halal certification is required. SFDA publishes specific labelling requirements for different product categories. Shelf life, storage conditions, and country of origin are mandatory label elements.
UAE Federal Law on Food Safety and associated cabinet decisions govern food labelling. Labels must be in Arabic (English is permitted in addition). Halal certification must be from an ESMA-accredited or UAE-recognised body. Products must declare all ingredients, allergens, and additives.
Post-Brexit, the UK has its own food labelling regulations derived from retained EU law. There is no mandatory halal certification requirement under UK law — halal claims are voluntary but must be truthful and verifiable. Retailers may impose their own supplier requirements that include halal certification. The UK's Trading Standards authorities have the power to investigate misleading food claims.
Halal compliance and food labelling law both require full disclosure of ingredients. Key considerations for exporters:
The Codex Alimentarius Commission — a joint body of the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization — has published two key documents relevant to halal food trade:
Codex standards are not legally binding of themselves but carry significant weight in World Trade Organization disputes and are the reference point for determining whether national standards constitute technical barriers to trade. Exporters whose packaging complies with Codex halal guidelines are in a strong position if labelling compliance is questioned in a WTO context.
Halal food packaging compliance is not simply a matter of adding a logo to an existing label. It encompasses material selection, ink and adhesive choices, logo rights management, market-specific labelling law compliance, and ingredient disclosure. Exporters who invest in understanding packaging requirements before entering a new market avoid the costly and reputationally damaging experience of shipments refused at the border or products pulled from retailer shelves.
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January 15, 2026 · 12 min