GuideJAKIM halal certification
Which product and brand names will JAKIM not certify?
By MNS Modulaz Sdn. Bhd.Updated
The short answer
JAKIM will not certify a company, product, menu or brand name that refers to or resembles a non-halal product, or uses a confusing term, such as ham, bak kut teh, bacon, beer, rum, hot dog or char siew. Its procedure manual lists these names in Appendix A. A name also may not use the word "halal" to show that a product may be used by Muslims.
From JAKIM's own documents; each rule below carries its clause.
A product can meet every halal requirement and still be refused because of its name. JAKIM's procedure manual, the Manual Prosedur Pensijilan Halal Malaysia (Domestik) 2020 (MPPHM 2020), sets out which company, product, menu and brand names are not eligible, and its Appendix A lists them. This guide explains the rules, clause by clause, for companies preparing to apply. Confirm any specific name with JAKIM.
Key takeaways
- A name that refers to or resembles a non-halal product makes a halal application ineligible (Procedure 6(7)).
- The manual's examples include ham, bak kut teh, bacon, beer, rum, hot dog and char siew.
- A name may not use the word "halal" to show that a product may be used by Muslims (Procedure 5(12)).
- Some names, such as gyoza or luncheon, may be allowed with an added word, such as Chicken Gyoza.
- The product name in the application must match the label, with foreign names translated (21(5)(e)-(f)).
On this page8
Which names will JAKIM not certify?
JAKIM will not certify a company, product, menu or brand name that refers to a non-halal product, is a synonym for one or resembles one, or uses any confusing term. MPPHM 2020, Procedure 6(7), lists such names among the applications that are not eligible, gives ham, bak kut teh, bacon, beer, rum, hot dog and char siew as examples, and points to Appendix A.
MPPHM 2020, Procedure 6(7): "Penggunaan nama syarikat, produk, menu dan jenama yang merujuk kepada produk tidak halal atau sinonim atau menyerupai dengan produk tidak halal atau apa-apa istilah mengelirukan seperti ham, bak kut teh, bacon, beer, rum, hot dog, char siew dan seumpama dengannya; (Rujuk LAMPIRAN A)"
The rule covers more than the product name: it applies to the company name, the menu and the brand as well. Appendix A, Part 1, adds menu descriptions: company, product, menu (including descriptions) and brand names must not refer to non-halal terms, their synonyms, or anything that resembles a non-halal product.
MPPHM 2020, Appendix A (Lampiran A), Part 1
What is on the Appendix A list?
Appendix A is a table of non-halal names, their synonyms and confusing terms, arranged A to Z. Most entries are alcoholic drinks and pork dishes, and the note under the table says it also includes other names that are non-halal, synonyms or that resemble non-halal products.
| Kind of name | Examples from Appendix A |
|---|---|
| Pork dishes and products | Bacon, Bak Kut Teh, Char Siew, Chorizo, Ham, Hot Dog, Siew Bao |
| Beer and wine | Ale, Beer (Root Beer), Champagne, Lager, Merlot, Prosecco, Stout, Wine |
| Spirits and liqueurs | Bourbon, Brandy, Gin, Rum, Sake, Soju, Tequila, Vodka, Whiskey |
| Cocktails | Bloody Mary, Daiquiri, Margarita, Mojito, Pina Colada, Sangria |
MPPHM 2020, Appendix A, Part 1 table, and its note: "Termasuklah lain-lain nama yang tidak halal atau sinonim atau menyerupai dengan produk tidak halal atau apa-apa istilah mengelirukan."
Root beer is on the list, as "Bir/ Beer (Root Beer)".
Can you use the word "halal" in a name?
No, a name may not use the word "halal" for that purpose. Procedure 5(12) says the company, product, menu, ingredient and brand names applied for must not use the statement "halal", or any other representation or description, to show that they may be used by Muslims.
MPPHM 2020, Procedure 5(12): "Nama syarikat, produk, menu, ramuan dan jenama produk yang dimohon hendaklah tidak menggunakan pernyataan 'halal' atau sebarang representasi atau diperihalkan dengan cara lain untuk menunjukkan ia boleh digunakan oleh orang Islam."
Which names are allowed with an added word?
Some names are allowed if they come with an additional statement. Appendix A, Part 2, says the competent authority may allow names such as bologna, bratwurst, cider, cocktail, gyoza, luncheon, mortadella, polony, ramen, shogayaki and streaky when an additional or accompanying statement goes with them. The manual gives these examples:
| Not allowed alone | Allowed with an added word |
|---|---|
| Gyoza | Chicken Gyoza |
| Luncheon meat | Chicken Luncheon Meat |
| Mortadella | Beef Mortadella |
| Shogayaki | Beef Shogayaki |
| Polony | Chicken Chilli Polony |
| Ramen | Carbonara Ramen |
MPPHM 2020, Appendix A, Part 2 and its "DILARANG / DIBENARKAN" examples
When a name is close to the line, Part 3 says the company or applicant should refer to the competent authority for a ruling on any company, product, menu or brand name related to non-halal terms, their synonyms or anything resembling a non-halal product.
MPPHM 2020, Appendix A, Part 3
Does the name on the application have to match the label?
Yes, the name on the application has to match the label. Procedure 21(5)(e) says the product or menu name registered must be the same as on the packaging label or menu display, and 21(5)(f) says product or menu names in a foreign language must be translated into Malay and/or English.
MPPHM 2020, Procedure 21(5)(e)-(f)
For an overseas manufacturer, that means checking every product name in its own language and in translation before applying. The documents a manufacturer abroad prepares are in the documents an overseas manufacturer needs.
JAKIM reissued the manual with amendments as MPPHM 2020 (PINDAAN), in force 1 April 2026 under Pekeliling Pensijilan Halal Malaysia Bil. 1 Tahun 2026; Procedures 5(12), 6(7) and 21(5) read the same in the amended text. The Appendix A lists quoted here are from the 2020 text, so check a borderline name against JAKIM's current list.
Where does MNS Modulaz fit?
JAKIM deals with the applicant directly. MNS Modulaz Sdn. Bhd., entry 18 on JAKIM's Strategic Partner list, prepares companies for JAKIM's process: gap analysis against JAKIM's requirements, documents, SOPs, internal halal control and training. Every route for a company outside Malaysia is on JAKIM halal certification for overseas companies.
JAKIM Rakan Strategik (RS MIHA) list, 18 June 2026, entry 18
Frequently asked questions
Can a halal product be called bak kut teh or char siew in Malaysia?
Not under Malaysian halal certification. MPPHM 2020, Procedure 6(7), makes an application ineligible if the company, product, menu or brand name refers to or resembles a non-halal product, naming ham, bak kut teh, bacon, beer, rum, hot dog and char siew as examples. Appendix A lists more.
Can root beer be halal certified in Malaysia?
Appendix A of MPPHM 2020 lists "Bir/ Beer (Root Beer)" among the names that a company, product, menu or brand name must not refer to or resemble.
Can I put the word halal in my brand name?
No. MPPHM 2020, Procedure 5(12), says the company, product, menu, ingredient and brand names applied for must not use the statement "halal" or any other representation to show that they may be used by Muslims.
Are names such as ramen, gyoza or luncheon meat allowed?
With an added word. Part 2 of Appendix A lets the authority allow names such as ramen, gyoza, luncheon, cocktail, polony, shogayaki and mortadella when they come with an additional statement, for example Chicken Gyoza or Beef Mortadella rather than Gyoza or Mortadella alone.
What if I am not sure whether a name is allowed?
Ask the competent authority. Part 3 of Appendix A says the company or applicant should refer to it for a ruling on any company, product, menu or brand name that relates to non-halal terms, their synonyms or anything resembling a non-halal product.
Does the product name on the application have to match the label?
Yes. Procedure 21(5)(e) says the product or menu name registered must be the same as on the packaging label or menu display, and 21(5)(f) says a name in a foreign language must be translated into Malay and/or English.
Sources
- JAKIM, Manual Prosedur Pensijilan Halal Malaysia (Domestik) 2020: Procedures 5(12), 6(7), 21(5)(e)-(f) and Appendix A.
- JAKIM, Pekeliling Pensijilan Halal Malaysia Bil. 1 Tahun 2026, in force 1 April 2026: the amended manual, MPPHM 2020 (PINDAAN).
- JAKIM, Rakan Strategik MIHA list, 18 June 2026.