Halal Lanes Pushed In Zamboanga City Supermarkets And Groceries

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Lowell Vallecer / 25 Jul) The Department of Trade and Industry in Western Mindanao has urged operators and owners of major grocery stores and supermarkets in Zamboanga City to set up Halal lanes or corners in their stores to cater to the fast growing demand for Halal certified products in the domestic market.

Halal is meat that has been slaughtered in the manner prescribed by the Shari’a. The method of slaughtering all animals excluding fish and most sea-life is known as dhabiĥa, meat prepared in this manner is then considered Halal.

Naz Manzur, DTI regional director, said this initiative has little to do with religion as it is with business. He pointed out that about 30% of the local populations are Muslims -- a captive market for Halal food and non-food products. Zamboanga City has more than 600,000 people.

This does not include those that regularly come to Zamboanga City from neighboring provinces of Basilan, Jolo and Tawi-Tawi in the Sulu Archipelago.

“The opening up of special lanes exclusively for Halal products is a very good marketing strategy for store owners as it will certainly attract patrons, particularly the Muslims who are devoutly practicing Islam and its doctrines,” he said.

Sitti Amina Jain, DTI assistant regional director, said the annual value for Halal food worldwide is estimated at US$580 billion and is growing fast. She added that aside from food, there is also a huge market for non-food Halal products that include cosmetics, perfume, toiletries, body care pharmaceuticals, herbal and healthcare products.

There are also many business opportunities for fashion accessories and apparel, food processing plants and abattoirs, in service industries and in many other industries, she said.

The concept of opening Halal lanes, aside offering new business opportunities, is in line with the DTI’s mandate under the Consumer Act of the Philippines to safeguard consumers against misrepresentation, mislabeling and the fraudulent use of the Halal logo in products sold in the market.

The Halal lane initiative was well-received by the representatives of the 13 grocery stores and supermarkets in the city who attended the meeting but asked that they be given time to set up the lanes as the work entails lots of logistical support.

If this initiative pushes through, Halal lanes or corners shall have been installed in major grocery stores and supermarkets in Zamboanga City by October, in time for the celebration of the National Consumers’ Month.

The DTI said it will also organize a Halal Consumer Group to help the government in its advocacy for Halal and for networking purposes.