6 FAQs On F&B Internal Halal Committees In Malaysia
For many F&B businesses in Malaysia seeking Halal certification, the appointment of an Internal Halal Committee (IHC) is one of several requirements they must meet before applying.
Those who want an official source can refer to JAKIM’s Halal Management System Manual but be warned: The manual documents all aspects of Halal compliance and is only available in Bahasa Melayu!
For a concise breakdown, our FAQ highlights only the parts applying to F&B, namely:
- types of F&B operations that must appoint an IHC
- key appointments (including premise-specific requirements)
- individual and collective roles, and
- central vs branch-specific committees
Let’s begin.
1. Which F&B operations need to appoint an IHC?
Any F&B business implementing the Halal Assurance System (HAS) as part of its Halal Management System must appoint an Internal Halal Committee, which includes:
- restaurants with RM500,000 or more in annual revenue
- catering and central kitchens
- hotels, and
- chain F&B operations
Note: Any F&B operation with three or more branches is considered part of a chain and falls under HAS implementation as well regardless of annual revenue.
2. What’s an IHC?
An Internal Halal Committee or ‘Jawatankuasa Halal Dalaman’ in Bahasa Melayu is a formally appointed committee from within a business.
Collectively, the committee oversees Halal governance, compliance, and documentation, ensuring the business is fully compliant with its Halal Assurance System at all times.
3. How are members appointed?
Top management must officially appoint all IHC members in writing.
This must then be reflected in an organisational chart in the company HAS Manual showing individual positions and overall committee structure.
4. What are its responsibilities?
While the IHC is responsible for a very long list of tasks, they can be broadly summarised into four action items:
- hold at least two fully documented meetings per year on halal-related items
- conduct an annual HAS review to evaluate its effectiveness
- ensure annual internal Halal audit is done for each premise under their control
- undergo Halal competency training at least once every three years
These ensure Halal compliance is consistently maintained across all operations and the business can smoothly renew its Halal certificate when the time comes.
5. Who are its core members?
Regardless of F&B premise type, an IHC must consist of at least four members:
| Position | Key Role |
| Chairman | – Lead meetings – Sign off on critical HAS decisions |
| Halal Executive | – Manage applications – Coordinate IHC activities – Co-sign changes to raw materials, suppliers, products, and processes |
| Procurement Representative | – Oversee raw material acquisition, supplier selection, and control Halal Risk Management Plan related to purchasing |
| Operations Representative | – Ensure raw materials used are from approved master list – Monitor operational compliance – Train processing staff |
These roles can only be held by permanent staff, and Halal Executives must also be Muslim.
In addition, additional members are required for the following of F&B premises:
| F&B Premise | Additional Member |
| Hotels | F&B Manager and / or Head Chef |
| Catering / Central Kitchens | F&B Manager and / or Head Chef |
| Chain Food Premises | Operations Manager |
6. Can different branches share the same IHC?
If the branches operate under central management, a single IHC can oversee multiple outlets, but several conditions still apply:
- hotels, catering services and central kitchens still need a Halal Executive for each branch
- chain / multi-brand operations need a Halal Executive at the central kitchen level
- centrally-managed cafeterias need a Halal Executive at the management level
Meanwhile, branches with different operational management must each establish their own IHC.
We hope this gives you a clear starting point for understanding Halal Committees, and remember it’s just one part of the Halal certification puzzle!
Let MISHU help get your restaurant Halal-certified
If you’re interested in pursuing Halal certification for your F&B business, our team can help prepare and submit necessary documents, liaise with the right authorities, and guide you through each step of the Halal certification process.