Reasons why restaurants should obtain Halal certification and the use of rapid freezer

Restaurants need to keep up with the trends of the fast-moving economy, and are probably coming up with various ideas.

As globalization progresses, there is a need to develop services for foreigners visiting Japan.
Also, with the Japanese food boom, more and more people will be able to enjoy the true quality of Japanese food.

What kind of hospitality can restaurants provide? One of our services with globalization in mind is ``Halal certification.''

What is Halal certification?

Halal means "permissible" in Islamic teachings. For Muslims, there are certain things that are forbidden by God's teachings, such as pork and alcohol.
Even if you accidentally eat forbidden food, you are violating God's teachings, so there is a Halal certification system to prevent this and allow Muslims toeat with peace of mind.

Halal certification is a system in which religious and food hygiene experts inspect products to ensure that they meet halal standards. Halal certification is not limited to food products, but also includes retail stores, restaurants, hotels and inns, and cosmetics.

How to obtain Halal certification for restaurants and costs

How to obtain Halal certification

Halal certification for restaurants is never easy. Some criteria must be met. In addition, certification standards and costs vary depending on the organization, so it is a good idea to consult with multiple organizations in advance and compare them before making a decision.

In order to receive Halal certification, there is a document review and an on-site review. In addition, there are two types of certifications for restaurants and other food establishments: ``Halal Restaurant Certification'' and ``Muslim Friendly Restaurant Certification.''

Halal restaurant certification

cooking　
The meals are completely halal-friendly, and all seasonings etc. must be halal.
Even in storage, cooking alcohol such as mirin and meat other than halal slaughtered meat are prohibited.

Drink
Alcoholic beverages may not be sold. Also, only soft drinks that have passed Halal certification can be provided.

Inside the store　
It is mandatory to employ Muslims, and store staff must wear clothes that are minimally revealing.
Only permitted music and posters may be used.

management　
It must meet the general hygiene management standards in Japan.

・Muslim-friendly restaurant certification

Although the cook does not have to be a Muslim, it is recommended that a Muslim be employed in the restaurant.
If you are going to serve alcoholic beverages, it is advisable to provide Muslims with private rooms.

In addition, glasses used for alcoholic beverages and glasses used for soft drinks, etc. must be differentiated, and cleaning methods must also be differentiated.

Halal certification cost

It is difficult to say exactly how much the Halal certification costs will be, as the terms and fees vary from institution to institution.

For example, before obtaining Halal certification,

1. Pre-inspection of facilities
2. Halal manager training, Halal certification of raw materials and facilities
3. Halal certificate issuance and annual management fee payment

Three processes are necessary.

In addition, transportation expenses and other expenses will be assessed. Certification will be obtained after document examination and examination of product processing, storage, and export.

What is Muslim friendly?

Muslim-friendly, as the word suggests, is an attitude of ``accepting Muslims'' and ``being friendly to Muslims,'' and is also used with consent overseas.

When a restaurant obtains Halal certification, it is required to ``serve halal food,'' ``no alcoholic beverages,'' and ``employ Muslim employees.''

For Japanese customers, not being able to serve alcohol makes it difficult to hold parties and banquets, making it difficult to attract Japanese customers.

Although we have not obtained Halal Restaurant Certification or Muslim Friendly Restaurant Certification, we are sometimes simply called "Muslim Friendly" when we provide consideration and support to Muslims to the extent possible.

Although it is not an official Halal certification, a store can be posted as a "Muslim Friendly" store as proof that it partially supports Halal.

What are the benefits of a restaurant obtaining Halal certification?

1. Can be provided to the expanding Muslim population

The number of Muslims visiting Japan, mainly from Southeast Asia, is increasing. Today, the number of Muslims visiting Japan has grown to approximately 2 billion, accounting for one-quarterofthe world's population, and it is estimated that the number of Muslims visiting Japan will increase to more than 1 million annually.

The Muslim market is expected to expand rapidly due to the growing middle class population due to economic growth in the ASEAN region. Due to the increasing number of Muslims visiting Japan, efforts are being made in various parts of Japan to create a welcoming environment for Muslims.

for example

1. Providing travel tours and plans for Muslims
2. Halal manager training, Halal certification of raw materials and facilities
3. Halal certificate issuance and annual management fee payment
4. Preparing a subsidy system for new businesses challenging the Muslim market

We are focusing on creating an inbound environment for the Muslim market, mainly in the Japanese tourism industry.
Under such circumstances, obtaining Halal certification can be expected to have a significant effect on the market, allowing Muslims to enjoy Japanese food with peace of mind.

2. Small and medium-sized enterprises also have opportunities

With the exception of some large companies, most companies start out on a horizontal line, and opportunities are expanding for small and medium-sized enterprises.
On the other hand, you may be missing out on opportunities by not obtaining Halal certification.

In addition, by obtaining Halal certification, in addition to the reputation of the original cuisine, Halal certification may become a catalyst for the Muslim market.

3. Can be differentiated

Halal certification involves costs and screening, and not everyone can easily obtain certification. High barriers to entry turn into opportunities.

According to the Pew Research Center, a US public opinion research organization, the number of Muslims is expected to increase from 1.6 billion in 2010 to 2.76 billion by 2050, out of a projected global population of approximately 9 billion. , about30% are Muslim.

Even from a long-term perspective, we can see business opportunities in the rapidly growing Muslim market. Given this background, receiving Halal certification will lead to differentiation from other stores.

Can Muslims use disinfectant, cleaning, and liquid freezing alcohol?

Restaurants must keep their premises clean at all times, and use disinfectant and cleaning alcohol to do so.
Additionally, machines used for processing use alcohol to freeze ingredients.

The use of alcohol is strictly prohibited for Muslims, but is it possible to use alcohol for disinfection, cleaning, and rapid freezer?
When we contacted halal certification agencies, we found that each agency had different rules.

As mentioned above, permission may or may not be granted depending on each certification body.
You should also be careful when using disinfectant alcohol sprays used in restaurants.

In addition, there are two types of "rapid freezer": "machines that use alcohol" and "machines that do not use alcohol."

Liquid method

When alcohol is available
→ Re-Joice Freezer uses alcohol.
Re-Joice Freezer The characteristics of (liquid freezing) are

1. Freezes evenly
2. Freezing speed is fast
3. Custom-made products can be produced according to customer's usage.

If alcohol is not allowed
→Artlock Freezer is an air freezer and does not use alcohol.

Features of Artlock Freezer (Air Blast Freezing)

1. No frost on ingredients or inside the refrigerator
2. Special technology prevents ingredients from drying out, ensuring freshness and quality
3. Possible to rapid freezing hot foods without pre-cooling

Each model has its own characteristics, and whether or not alcohol can be used varies depending on the certification body.
If it passes Halal certification and can be stored for a long period of time in a high quality state using rapid freezing technology, it has the potential to gain an advantage in the expanding Muslim market.

rapid freezer expands the possibilities of restaurant management

The quality of ingredients is important when serving not only Muslims but also non-Muslim foreign visitors to Japan or the general public. It is possible to disseminate Halal-certified Japanese food not only domestically but also overseas.

Additionally, issues related to restaurant management may arise as the number of foreign visitors to Japan increases after halal certification. In such cases, installing rapid freezer can reduce labor costs and food waste, which can help keep costs down.

rapid freezing technology has made it possible to preserve food for long periods of time while maintaining its high quality, which not only saves time, but also means that it won't be long before Halal Japanese food can be distributed across the ocean and overseas.
Because of these numerous benefits, rapid freezer are increasingly being introduced in restaurants.

⇒⇒See introduction examples of rapid freezer

Conclusion

The barrier to entry may be high as obtaining Halal certification is expensive and requires many procedures such as examinations.
However, there are many benefits to obtaining certification in the face of the expanding Muslim market.

In addition, by introducing rapid freezer, you can provide high quality food and solve problems at restaurants.

Why not consider acquiring Halal certification and installing a refrigerator for the expanding market?

⇒⇒Download detailed information about rapid freezer

⇒⇒Reserve a test room where you can try rapid freezing