Analysis of interplay between food safety systems and halal standards in Indonesia

The present work aimed to develop a comprehensive certification process for halal food products within the Indonesian agribusiness, which integrates food safety and halal standards. The objective was to reduce financial barriers, certification burden, and workforce shortages currently impeding the establishment of quality halal food supply chains. To achieve this aim, Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) was used to elucidate the complex relationships between decision variables in the halal certification process. Data collection included interviews with sectoral experts overseeing food safety and halal compliance. The present work identified 17 strategic variables crucial to integrating the Halal Assurance System (HAS) with food safety using ISM analysis. The findings of the ISM model showed 11 hierarchical levels of integration between the HAS and food safety, identifying key factors influencing produce security mechanisms. Additionally, the present work emphasised the significance of transparency, proper handling of produce, and efficient certification processes for businesses operating in the global food sector. This proposed framework not only offers practical guidance for enhancing food security, but also correlated certification processes with supply chain objectives, thereby bridging the gap between theory and practice.