The rules, or Guangzhou Islamic Food Administration Regulations, will come into effect on June 10.

The new regulations require that both the managerial staff and employees of lower levels of a halal food supplier should include Muslims who eat this food and that only these people should be allowed to run businesses selling halal food.

The regulations also highlight the requirement that halal food suppliers should have concrete measures to ensure the authenticity of raw materials and bring the production, packaging, transportation and sales of halal food in line with Islamic customs.

"With the new regulations coming into effect, Muslims will be better protected from unauthentic halal foods and they will be less likely to be offended," Vice-Mayor Su Zequn told a press conference Tuesday.

It is not rare for Muslims to inadvertently buy unauthentic food due to a lack of such regulations, he added.

Besides, he said, the regulations will better guide investors and related businesses in their attempts to tap into the market, helping keep the development of Guangzhou's halal food industry right on track.

Wang Dekun, director-general of the Guangzhou Ethical and Religious Affairs Administration, said local authorities have made great efforts to ensure the adequate supply of halal food and to help the operation of Islamic restaurants.

The city has invested 2 million yuan (US$240,000) in the setting up of a halal slaughterhouse.

(People’s Daily May 28, 2003)

New Rules to Ensure Authentic Halal Food

New rules to be introduced next month will help ensure that Muslims in Guangzhou will be able to eat more authentic halal food.

The rules, or Guangzhou Islamic Food Administration Regulations, will come into effect on June 10.

The new regulations require that both the managerial staff and employees of lower levels of a halal food supplier should include Muslims who eat this food and that only these people should be allowed to run businesses selling halal food.

The regulations also highlight the requirement that halal food suppliers should have concrete measures to ensure the authenticity of raw materials and bring the production, packaging, transportation and sales of halal food in line with Islamic customs.

"With the new regulations coming into effect, Muslims will be better protected from unauthentic halal foods and they will be less likely to be offended," Vice-Mayor Su Zequn told a press conference Tuesday.

It is not rare for Muslims to inadvertently buy unauthentic food due to a lack of such regulations, he added.

Besides, he said, the regulations will better guide investors and related businesses in their attempts to tap into the market, helping keep the development of Guangzhou's halal food industry right on track.

Wang Dekun, director-general of the Guangzhou Ethical and Religious Affairs Administration, said local authorities have made great efforts to ensure the adequate supply of halal food and to help the operation of Islamic restaurants.

The city has invested 2 million yuan (US$240,000) in the setting up of a halal slaughterhouse.

(People’s Daily May 28, 2003)