Scientific Testing Takes a Larger Role in Halal Verification
Halal verification is entering a more technical phase as laboratory methods gain greater importance in the process. In a Lab Forum in Tangerang, Banten, participants discussed how scientific evidence now supports halal assessment alongside document checks and visual inspection.
The discussion gained urgency because mandatory halal enforcement in October 2026 is pushing industry players to prepare for a stricter system. LPPOM explained that products with complex compositions can no longer rely only on outward appearance or paperwork when halal status must be confirmed.
PCR and rapid tests draw attention
Among the methods highlighted, Polymerase Chain Reaction, or PCR, received special focus. The technique is used to detect pig DNA and other non-halal materials in processed products, making it useful when contamination traces cannot be seen directly.
Rapid test kits also emerged as a practical tool for early screening in the field. They help halal auditors inspect raw materials or products more efficiently before a more detailed examination is carried out.
That approach matters because halal certification and supervision do not always take place in a full laboratory setting. In many cases, quick screening is needed so businesses can respond immediately if a potential problem appears.
Different products require different methods
LPPOM stressed that halal testing now covers a wide range of sectors. These include food, beverages, slaughtered products, slaughtering services, food ingredients and additives, traditional medicine, cosmetics, chemical products, biological products, and genetic engineering products.
Because of that range, no single testing method can answer every need. Each sample type requires a method suited to its characteristics, especially when the composition is complex or the risk of contamination is difficult to identify by eye.
The forum also discussed volatilomics and spectroscopy as part of the broader testing landscape. Volatilomics is used to examine volatile compound profiles, including possible alcohol content or cross-contamination, while spectroscopy helps read sample characteristics in more detail.
Chromatography was also included in the discussion because it can separate components in a sample with precision. In halal testing, that method is useful for identifying possible animal fat derivatives or other non-halal materials in food and cosmetics.
The technologies highlighted in the forum included:
- PCR for detecting pig DNA and other non-halal materials.
- Rapid test tools for field screening.
- Volatilomics for analyzing volatile compounds and alcohol.
- Spectroscopy for identifying material profiles.
- Chromatography for separating and identifying sample components.
Scientific evidence is becoming part of the halal system
LPPOM said science-based testing is now an important part of the halal ecosystem. The testing process no longer stands alone, because it is linked to the Halal Product Assurance System, or SJPH.
That credibility is further supported by laboratories that have held SNI ISO 17025 accreditation since 2016. The status gives technical legitimacy to test results and strengthens trust in laboratory data.
The forum also underlined that halal testing is not only about compliance, but also about verification that can be measured and defended scientifically. As regulations move closer to mandatory implementation, that evidentiary role is becoming more visible across industries.
Laboratories are seen as industrial infrastructure
Head of the Nanotechnology and Materials Research Organization at BRIN, Ratno Nuryadi, said the quality of laboratory infrastructure strongly affects national industrial progress. He described laboratories as a foundation for high-tech manufacturing, not merely as places for testing.
Ratno also emphasized the need for stronger links between researchers, industry players, and government so that research does not stop at the laboratory desk. That message aligns with the need to strengthen the halal ecosystem through cross-sector collaboration.
Efforts to expand research capacity are also reflected in the push for a Halal Science Techno Park at IPB in West Java. The facility is positioned as a bridge between university research and industrial needs so that halal testing innovation can move into practice more quickly.
The same forum also touched on sustainability through the concept of a green laboratory. The agenda highlighted energy and water efficiency, hazardous waste management, waste separation, and tighter occupational safety and health practices to keep testing accurate and responsible.
Source: mediaindonesia.com
