Karawang, March 2025 - Only producing halal, high-quality products that are trusted by consumers has always been the commitment of the Ajinomoto Indonesia Group in running its business. This commitment was appreciated by the Head of the Halal Product Guarantee Agency (BPJPH), Dr. H. Ahmad Haikal Hassan, ST., MT, when he visited one of the factories of PT AJINOMOTO INDONESIA (Ajinomoto) in Karawang, Friday (28/02/2025).
The visit to the Ajinomoto Factory in Karawang is part of BPJPH's strategic agenda in encouraging the development of the national halal ecosystem, while increasing the competitiveness of national products in the global market. According to Hermawan Prajudi - Director of PT AJINOMOTO INDONESIA and Coordinator of the Internal Halal Auditor of the Ajinomoto Indonesia Group, the visit from BPJPH is a very good momentum to strengthen collaboration between BPJPH and Ajinomoto Indonesia in implementing halal product assurance system.
"Support from BPJPH as a regulator certainly motivates us to improve product quality and ensure its halalness starting from the raw material preparation process, production process, then distribution process to the hands of consumers. So that all products are not only delicious and high quality, but also safe and reliable for consumption," said Hermawan.
According to Jasman Silalahi - Director of PT AJINOMOTO INDONESIA and Head of PT AJINOMOTO INDONESIA Karawang Factory, the Ajinomoto factories in Karawang and Mojokerto are always consistent in implementing halal product guarantee system in every process.
"The Ajinomoto Karawang and Mojokerto factories, which are part of the Ajinomoto Indonesia Group, have a Halal Policy which is the basis for us in implementing halal parameters in every existing process. First, we only produce halal products in accordance with applicable Islamic law. Second, the Ajinomoto Indonesia Group is committed to producing halal products consistently and continuously. Third, we also continue to increase understanding, awareness, and responsibility as producers to all employees regarding the halalness of products. Those are the 3 main points of the Ajinomoto Indonesia Group Halal Policy that support Ajinomoto's big goal of 'Strengthening sustainable welfare for humans, society, and the earth through AminoScience'," said Jasman.
In this agenda, Head of BPJPH Ahmad Haikal Hassan and his entourage were also invited to tour the Ajinomoto factory to witness the history of the discovery of MSG, the history of the beginning of Ajinomoto's existence in Indonesia, and to see firsthand the entire Masako® production process at the Ajinomoto Factory in Karawang. In addition to Masako®, the Ajinomoto Karawang Factory also produces SAORI® & Sajiku®. In this agenda, Ahmad Haikal also took the time to have a dialogue with representatives of the Ajinomoto Indonesia Group management.
“My team and I visited the Ajinomoto Factory in Karawang in order to carry out the mandate of halal assurance supervision, and Alhamdulillah I saw myself how Ajinomoto has a halal policy and commitment that has been consistently upheld and implemented very well. I saw that all the cooking spice products produced in this factory really pay attention to very high standards to meet halal criteria in every process. I was also impressed with the application of Ajinomoto seasoning products in every dish served, it is very practical to make every dish delicious, and the concept of Smart Salt conveyed in the Ajinomoto team's material presentation, I think it can break the negative stigma related to MSG, because turns out that its benefits can reduce excessive salt consumption," said Ahmad Haikal when visiting the Ajinomoto Karawang Factory.
"Currently, there are quite a lot of imported products entering Indonesia with the halal label. However, I think our domestic products are also can compete global quality. One of my goals in visiting Ajinomoto is to encourage the development of the national halal ecosystem, as well as to promote our national halal products so that they can compete in the global market. "Alhamdulillah, Ajinomoto has also succeeded in exporting products to other countries with Muslim majority populations such as Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Brunei Darussalam and many others. I also see Ajinomoto showing its commitment to increase the number of halal supervisors in its production facilities. In addition, we appreciate their initiative in providing facilities to MSMEs around the industrial area. They will be monitored, guided, and supported with raw materials with Ajinomoto products. This can be an example for other companies," he continued.
Furthermore, Head of BPJPH Ahmad Haikal Hassan said that his working visit also aimed to ensure the implementation of the Halal Product Assurance System (SJPH) implemented by the company. "We are traveling around large industries for a reason. Our main goal is to ensure that the Halal Product Assurance System is running well. We came here to witness firsthand the implementation of SJPH, because this is part of our responsibility in providing a sense of comfort for the Indonesian people," he explained.
Deputy for Guidance and Supervision of JPH BPJPH, E.A Chuzaemi Abidin who accompanied Head of BPJPH said that in addition to the activities of supervising halal product assurance, this working visit agenda was also used to conduct socialization and education on halal product assurance to private sectors. Socialization is intended to educate JPH regulations and policies, including halal certification procedures, to the importance of implementing SJPH in the industry.
The Ajinomoto Indonesia Group hopes that with the various initiatives that have been and will continue to be implemented, they can contribute to the progress of the Indonesian nation in various fields, especially to support the nutritional intake of the Indonesian people, so that they become a society that continues to develop positively, who can enjoy clean and green nature of Indonesia. To find out more information about the products, services, and efforts of the Ajinomoto Indonesia Group through the Ajinomoto Health Provider initiative, the public can visit the Ajinomoto Indonesia website (https://www.ajinomoto.co.id/id).