A summary of the latest halal industry news from around the world.

Texas-based H-E-B to offer Crescent Foods' halal hand-cut

Crescent Foods announced a strategic partnership with Texas-based supermarket chain H-E-B to offer halal hand-cut chicken, beef, and lamb products as well as breaded, frozen offerings at Houston, Texas locations, PR newswire reported, adding that the programme is expected to quickly expand throughout Texas.

Integrated Media Tech signs 60% private equity agreement with Malaysia’s World Integrated Supply Ecosystem

Shares of Integrated Media Technology Ltd. Fell 7.1% after it signed a deal to enter the halal certification and foods market, the Wall Street Journal reported. Integrated Media signed an agreement for 60% equity interests in Malasyian firm World Integrated Supply Ecosystem Sdn Bhd which is "engaged in the business of the provision of halal certification to qualified businesses/operations, the establishment halal products supply chain, and sale of halal products." The company also plans to promote the global supply chain of halal products, Integrated Media said, according to Market Watch. Xiaodong Zhang, the chief executive of Integrated Media, was quoted as saying: "Although this is not IMTE's traditional technology investment, we see many applications in bringing this ecosystem to the new digital economy from traceability, anti-counterfeiting technology, application of Blockchain and automation."

Indonesia to issue halal certification for 10 million MSMEs

Indonesia’s Presidential Staff Office (KSP) is to work with its Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) to issue halal certifications for 10 million micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the Indonesian News Agency reported. It said the KSP will help in conducting coordination with the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs and Ministry of Finance to obtain valid MSMEs' data, according to Deputy III of KSP Panutan Sulendrakusuma. According to Sulendrakusuma, data was collected for 12 million micro-businesses in 2020 and data of 12.8 million of such businesses in 2021. The halal certification programme for 10 million MSMEs is targeted for those involved in sectors that have low risk in terms of the halal aspect, such as F&B, animal slaughter services, food stalls, restaurants, hotel kitchens, food courts in malls, and e-commerce, the Indonesian News Agency said. 

Alcohol-free cosmetics to witness bumper growth by 2027

The alcohol-free cosmetics market is expected to grow during the forecast period due to a rise in product launches and approvals combined with a growing cosmetics industry, EIN Newswires reported. In November 2021, Unilever filed a patent for its antiperspirant formula that uses non-alcohol actives, plasticizers, and polymers to minimise excessive sweating, according to the report published by EIN Newswires. It said growth is expected to be strongest in the Asia-Pacific region due to a large consumer base and wider acceptance from the e-commerce sector. This is followed by the European region due to a robust fashion industry and increasing promotional activities on social media platforms, EIN noted. Major companies contributing to the global alcohol-free cosmetics market include IBA Halal Care, Amara Halal Cosmetics, Martha Tilar Group, Ecotrail Personal Care, Inika Organic, Clara International Beauty Group, Paragon Technology and Innovation, and Talent Cosmetics Ltd.