Basic knowledge about halal issues

Salam everyone,

Just a simple blog on halal issues. Forgive me if the blog is not polished or if it looks not professional enough as this is my first ever blog but my aim is to get all our brothers and sisters in Islam learn more about what is halal and what is haram (especially in terms of food and objects made from products that are haram ie. products derived from pigs/khinzir, etc.). You'll be surprised to know how some simple items may contain ingredients that are in fact haram.

I have been involved in the oleochemical (chemicals made from oil, be it animal and/or vegetable derived oils) industry worldwide since 1992. Since I am from Malaysia, almost all of the oleochemicals that I have exported worldwide (more than 62 countries) are derived from palm oil, the number one export commodity of Malaysia in which we in 2012 contributed to 39% of world palm oil production and 44% of world exports! Since a sizeable amount of oleochemicals exported end up in the United States of America, most of the oleochemical products made in Malaysia must be kosher certified as a huge amount of food products produced in the USA are kosher, the ingredients that go into the production of such food products must also be kosher; hence all major oleochemical manufacturers in Malaysia have kosher certification for their products such as kosher certified glycerine, stearic acid, etc. Two prominent kosher certification authorities in the world include the Orthodox Union (Circle U) and OK Kosher Certification (Circle K); both based in NY. Sorry about writing so long about kosher matters but my experience and interaction with the rabbis who come to Malaysia to conduct the certification of the oleochemical factories and their processes/ingredients has given me a unique opportunity to learn a lot more about kosher and how it can also be applied to halal issues. My experiences with the end-users of our oleochemicals in the USA has also contributed greatly to increasing my knowledge in this matter.

Hence, it is my hope that from today onwards, as I reach out to all moslems in the world thru my virtual connection (ie. blog), God willing (Ins-sya-Allah) I may help to spread knowledge as well as increase their awareness of the variety of products that are out there which may or may not contain haram ingredients.