Mindanao now has a Halal-certified academe-based Culinary Lab Kitchen as the Institute of International Culinary and Hospitality Entrepreneurship (IChef) received Monday, September 26 Halal certification and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Certification from Dubai-based Halal certifying body Prime Group of Companies.

Prime CEO and owner Mary Jane Alvero personally awarded the certification to Joji Ilagan International Schools chairperson Joji Ilagan-Bian. Prime Certification and Inspection is a subsidiary of the United Arab Emirates-based Prime Group of Companies, is the first and only Philippine-based halal certification body, recognized by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) and the only Philippine halal-certifying body authorized to give certification for food exports bound for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

With these certifications, IChef can educate and equip its students with proper information, implementation, and awareness about Halal.

Nicole Niña Hao Bian-Ledesma, chief operating officer and vice president for Academic Affairs of the Institute of Joji Ilagan International Schools, said this will strengthen the bid of Davao City to be the Halal capital of the Philippines.

“Through this program, we will be able to capacitate our students. Training starts with school so when they go out to the industry they‘ll be the ones to professionalize or to make the industry aware of what really is Halal. Halal is not just “no-pork” policy, it’s not just for the Muslims, it’s a way of life,” she said.

IChef has an average of 200 students enrolled in culinary courses per semester.

According to Future Market Insights, the global halal market is now estimated to be worth over $2.3 trillion while the global halal tourism market holds a forecasted revenue of US$ 255.0 billion in 2022.