Serving a heterogeneous Muslim identity? Private governance arrangements of halal food in the Netherlands

Abstract

The consumption of halal food may be seen as an expression of the Muslim identity. Within Islam, different interpretations of 'halal' exist and the pluralistic Muslim community requests diverse halal standards. Therefore, adaptive governance arrangements are needed in the halal food market. Globalization and industrialization have complicated the governance of halal food. A complex network of halal governors has developed from the local to the global level. In this paper, we analyze to what extent halal certification bodies in the Netherlands address the needs of the Muslim community and how they are influenced by international halal governance. The Netherlands serves as a case study with its growing Muslim community and its central position in international trade. The data comes from literature review and eleven qualitative semi-structured interviews with the most prominent actors in the Dutch halal governance system. Our analysis shows that the halal governance system in the Netherlands is weakly institutionalized and hardly adaptive to the needs of a heterogeneous Muslim community. Improvements are needed concerning stakeholder engagement, transparency, accessibility, impartiality and efficiency.

Religious identity, community and religious minorities’ search efforts for religiously sanctioned food: The case of halal food in non‐Muslim majority markets

“…Therefore, knowing that consumers in non-Muslim majority markets are concerned about halal status of products and that their intention to consume halal can be explained by attitudes, perceived behavioural control and other constructs derived from the theory of planned behaviour does not quite address the unique challenges posed by limited availability of halal options in these markets. For instance a recent study in the Netherlands points out a weak halal governance system in adapting to the needs of a heterogeneous Muslim community (Kurth & Glasbergen, 2017), while another in Japan highlights similar supply chain issues in the country's halal food system (Fujiwara & Ismail, 2017). Indeed, Verbeke et al (2013) suggest that because of the very limited availability of halal labelled fresh meat in Belgium Muslim consumers use 'Muslim ownership' of a shop rather than a halal label as an extrinsic search characteristic to infer halal status of meat.…”

Brief Review on the Controversies around Oil Palm (Elaeis Guineensis Jacq.) Production and Palm Oil Consumption

“…could constitute a pertinent biological or murine model for scientific development. Producers, consumers and policy makers should take into consideration health and safety as well as sustainability standards developed by governmental, intergovernmental and private institutions to regulate the environmental and social conditions of production, while securing economic viability (Fuchs & Kalfagianni, 2010;Fuchs et al, 2011;Kurth & Glasbergen, 2016).…”

Progress and challenges associated with halal authentication of consumer packaged goods

“…58 In Europe, a comparison between different standards such as those of Malaysia, Indonesia and Turkey was carried out to formulate its own standards by avoiding conflicting issues. 59 As far as halal standards are concerned, Malaysian standard MS 1500:2009 serves as a global benchmark and basis for many other standards. It lays out comprehensive requirements for the food manufacturing and food servicing chain from processing to handling, distribution, storage, display, serving, packaging and labelling according to Sharia law.…”

“…Members of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) also have their own institution, with varying standards from one country to another . In Europe, a comparison between different standards such as those of Malaysia, Indonesia and Turkey was carried out to formulate its own standards by avoiding conflicting issues . As far as halal standards are concerned, Malaysian standard MS 1500:2009 serves as a global benchmark and basis for many other standards.…”