FrieslandCampina DMV Achieves Halal Certification for Two Ingredients

The products that are derived from cows milk are only halal if the whole production chain complies with the strict demands of the Halal Feed and Food Inspection Authority (HFFIA).

30 Jul 2009 Two of the ingredients DMV International produces, Esprion 300 and lactose, are halal certified since mid-February 2009.

FrieslandCampina DMV produces several ingredients for, among other things, the global food industry. A major raw material for DMV’s ingredients is sweet cheese whey coming from the production of Gouda-type cheese. For instance, from this whey DMV produces the milk powder substitute Esprion 300 and several lactose products that can be used in food products, pharmaceutical applications and baby food after being processed. These product groups are now halal certified.

Muslims are restricted to eat halal food only which means 'pure' and 'permitted'.In principle cows and therefore also milk are halal. The products that are derived from this milk – like DMV ingredients – are, however, only halal if the whole production chain complies with the strict demands of the Halal Feed and Food Inspection Authority (HFFIA).

In order to achieve a HFFIA certificate, DMV had to screen all processes, adapt them if necessary and guarantee them. DMV’s cheese whey suppliers, FrieslandCampina's cheese producing plants, also had to go through all the adaptations in their production chain. From the purchase of their raw materials and auxiliaries up to registration and validation.

The largest adaptation was for the rennet that they use to make cheese, but FrieslandCampina also succeeded in this. So all FrieslandCampina’s cheeses factories are now halal certified, too.

DMV supplies large internationally operating food producers who more and more make the step towards one of the biggest growth markets: Asia, a continent with many Muslims. Therefore food companies active in Asian markets need among other things halal ingredients they can also use in 'normal' products, which enlarges their flexibility. Thanks to the HFFIA accreditation DMV is able to answer this need.

Now that certification is a fact, FrieslandCampina/DMV International are making this also known visually. The packing materials for Esprion 300 and the lactose products are now being equipped with and clearly recognised by the official halal logo.