FOOD SAFETY BREACH AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON HALAL INTEGRITY: A CASE STUDY OF GERBANG ALAF RESTAURANTS SDN BHD (FORMERLY GOLDEN ARCHES RESTAURANTS SDN BHD) V CHAI SU LIN & ANOR (2023) 5 MLJ 491

Muhammad Zul Arif Sabarudin

doi:10.33102/inslae-proceedings.302

Authors

Muhammad Zul Arif Sabarudin Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, 71800, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33102/inslae-proceedings.302

Keywords:

Halal Forensics, Contractual Dispute, Burden of Proof, Total Failure of Consideration, Halal Governance, Project Management, Documentary Evidence

Abstract

Food safety is a crucial aspect of halal integrity, for in Islam, the halal must also be safe, clean, and wholesome so it can be eaten. This study uses case analysis on Gerbang Alaf Restaurants Sdn Bhd (formerly Golden Arches Restaurants Sdn Bhd) v Chai Su Lin & Anor (2023) 5 MLJ 491 to discuss the correlation between the breach of food safety and the integrity of the halal. The study employs doctrinal legal research and a case study analysis with the court judgment, the legislation, halal standards and literature used to analyze the case. The findings indicated that there was a breach of food safety as much as repeated hygiene failures which led to regulatory enforcement and eventually the termination of the franchise agreement which included rat droppings and cockroach infestations. Documentary evidence, including inspection reports, pest control records, health authority notices, showed the current non-compliances and revealed the shortcomings of the food safety and halal management system implementation from a halal forensic point of view. The study also underscores that food safety issues impact the toyyiban dimension of halal which in turn impacts consumers' confidence and the integrity of halal certified organizations. It concludes that it is necessary to always comply with food safety regulations, as well as be able to implement good Halal Control Systems and to have good hygiene management practices ahead of the game to maintain the halal integrity. The case draws attention to the necessity of establishing a sustainable halal assurance process that incorporates halal principles and food safety to maintain the trust of consumers in the halal industry.

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