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'Vigo-48', 'Pik Ko' and 'Makprogres' are the first three Macedonian companies to be awarded with the Halal certificate. All of them are exporters of food products with already implemented Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) system.
The Halal standard, whose implementation will enable domestic companies to enter a large market, means production of food in accordance to Islamic law. The term is used to designate food seen as permissible according to Islamic (Sharia) law. Halal product is a product that meets all the regulations on food safety, hygiene and sanitation, whose composition does not contain a single ingredient that is forbidden for Muslims to use, which applies the requirements of Halal production standards, and which does not use prohibited raw materials and other resources. As such, Halal product has no substitute and it is protected against competition.
Amir Sakic, Director of Bosnian Agency of Halal Quality Certification, says many companies connect Halal standards with the markets of contries with predominantly Muslim population.