Chulalongkorn University’s Halal Science Center links Thai kitchens to Muslim kitchens all over the world. Complete with its innovations and Halal standards of service to analyze and verify food products scientifically, the Center also complies with the sanctity required in Islamic law for the assurance of consumers both within and outside of Thailand.
It was during the period between 1994-1995 that there was great concern among Muslims in Thailand about the contamination of haram substances (forbidden under Islamic law) in halal food products (approved by Islamic principles). The Sheikhul Islam Office which was responsible for overseeing halal verification requested that scientists from the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University use their laboratories to examine the safety of halal food products for the safety of Muslim consumers. Subsequently, in 1997, laboratory tests determined that beef sausage products for Muslim consumers were tainted with pork causing a big uproar.
university thailand Since then, there has been an increased awareness of the safety of halal food products with Muslim consumers increasingly calling for scientific testing. This led to a cabinet resolution on August 13, 2003, to support the establishment of the Central Laboratory and Scientific Information for Halal Food Development at the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University. The Chulalongkorn University Council at its meeting held on December 27, 2003, agreed that the Central Laboratory be upgraded to the status of the Halal Science Center of Chulalongkorn University. This has led to the acceptance and assurance of the quality of Thai halal products in the Muslim world and has had a positive impact on the Thai economy under the “Thai Kitchen of the World” strategy serving a Muslim population of as many as two billion people.
“The Chula Halal Science Center is recognized internationally and has upgraded products with Halal standardization and examinations to determine halalness. It is the only institution in Thailand that focuses on scientific and technological research and has developed its innovation followingIslamic principles to protect Muslim and non-Muslim consumers as well as to promote scholarship that is accepted internationally. The Center has worked steadfastly on these tasks for over 20 years.” Associate Professor Dr. Winai Dahlan, the Center’s director elaborated on the Center’s mission.
For this devotion and determination in developing halal Science since 2010 Associate Professor Dr. Winai has been selected as one of “The World’s 500 Most Influential Muslims” for 13 consecutive years compiled by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre.
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