YEO’S HIGH STANDARDS IN HALAL MANUFACTURING A BOOST TO CONSUMER CONFIDENCE

Halal certified F&B manufacturer, Yeo’s Malaysia (Yeo’s), places high priority on its halal operations which plays a key role in growing its market and building customer confidence for its product range in Malaysia and beyond.

In addition to serving the Malaysian market, Yeo’s is also today an important manufacturing centre and global distributor to Indonesia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe, Indochina and the US, making it a leading F&B company with Malaysia’s halal certification for the international market.

Malaysia’s halal certification involves detailed governance. Brands must comply with the strict regulations set by the government halal authority, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM).

According to Razana Mat Saad, Yeo’s Senior Manager, Halal Compliance, “We have in place a comprehensive and effective system that is fully compliant with JAKIM’s requirements.

“We observe a strict Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and our Halal Assurance System (HAS) fully complies with the requirements under the Malaysia Halal Certification Procedure Manual (MPPHM) 2020 and the Malaysia Halal Management System (MHMS) 2020.

“Strict halal regulations are observed across our premises and products. Our entire production chain, from sourcing up to manufacturing and packing, is compliant with the governing laws and regulations for halal certification.

“This simply means that our raw materials, additives, processing aids, tools and equipment, and even our production system, product processing and the entire plant premises, all meet the stringent standards set by Jakim,” she emphasised.

Yeo’s also has a dedicated team trained under JAKIM’s Halal Professional Board through the initiative of the Registered Halal Providers and Registered Halal Instructors to constantly monitor and ensure the sustainability of its halal system through periodic internal audits and reviews.

“We work closely with JAKIM to ensure we maintain the integrity of our halal operations and they have always provided excellent support. We are also open to extending our collaboration with JAKIM or the State Department of Islamic Religion (JAIN) to organise halal awareness programmes to empower and strengthen consumer knowledge related to halal,” Razana shared.

Yeo’s has received recognised halal industry accolades over the years for diligent adherence to its halal policy.

In 2009, Yeo’s was awarded ‘The Best Halal Brand’ for its outstanding halal practices, innovations, consistency and overall success. In 2018, it received the ‘BrandLaureate World Halal Best Brands Award’ in the FMCG Food & Beverage category.

Building consumer trust

JAKIM is Malaysia’s authoritative halal certification authority and the agency responsible for providing halal recognition to products and services produced by industries that meet the requirements or conditions outlined in the halal certification requirements and Malaysian Standards which are in effect.

“All food manufacturing businesses that apply for halal certification from JAKIM must comply with set regulations and religious dietary laws. Halal certification is important to build consumer trust and confidence in the quality and safety of the products they consume.

Consumers can also check and verify the halal status of a product through an online platform provided by JAKIM such as Malaysia’s Official Halal Portal or JAKIM’s Mobile Applications such as Verify Halal and Smart Halal,” said Ustaz Mohamad Zamri bin Mohamed Shapik, Pengarah Bahagian Pengurusan Halal, JAKIM.

Ustaz Mohamad Zamri said JAKIM welcomes the commitment, support and cooperation provided by companies holding the Malaysian Halal Certification to always ensure a high level of compliance in order to ensure that the halal regulatory ecosystem is always trusted and becomes a world reference.

The  government aims to become the global halal market leader by 2025 with an export value of RM63.1 billion while leveraging on the worldwide halal market which is estimated to surpass US$1 trillion (RM4.68 trillion) next year.

This is expected to elevate Malaysia’s internationally accepted halal certification and boost trade promotions, making the country a market leader on the global halal front.

Safe for consumption

Complementing its Halal certification, Yeo’s products are also manufactured under strict international quality and food safety standards and are safe for consumption.

Yeo’s has obtained the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certificate recognised in the food industry worldwide for food safety practices.

All its three factories, each located in Shah Alam, Johor Bahru and Ipoh, are also certified with Good Manufacturing Process (GMP) to control all potential hazards in food manufacturing processes, including a stringent filtration and sterilisation process and an enclosed filling system.

Other certifications include MeSTI (food hygiene), the Veterinary Health Mark (VHM) for the Shah Alam plant and the SIRIM certification for its Ipoh plant.

Recently, the company also successfully achieved the FSSC 22000 certification for its Ipoh plant, showcasing its commitment to consistently producing safe and high-quality products that meet and exceed industry standards.

Yeo’s is currently also pursuing the internationally acclaimed Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standard.

Legacy brand   

Yeo’s is a legacy brand with a history dating back to 1901 as a small soya sauce proprietorship in China. The owner Yeo Keng Lian, a man of foresight, boldly ventured into Singapore in 1935, and as business flourished, expanded into Malaysia in the 1940s.

Today, Yeo’s is synonymous with the F&B industry, manufacturing a range of products such as canned foods, beverages, culinary sauces and soya sauces to meet market needs.

While recognised for quality and innovation, Yeo’s is not one to rest on its laurels. The company continues to invest into research and development to expand its industry presence and to capture greater market share.