Ildong Pharmaceutical’s Biovita to Receive Halal Certification

For the first time as a Korean pharmaceutical company, Ildong Pharmaceutical announced that Biovita, the company’s lactic acid treatment for intestinal disorders, acquired halal certification from the Korean Muslim Federation (KMF).

In Islamic culture, halal literally means “permissible,” and mostly refers to food that is allowed to be eaten. In order to receive the halal certification, one must prepare relevant documents to meet complex certification regulations and undergo a rigorous inspection of the manufacturing process. Halal medicines have to meet stringent conditions such as keeping halal-certified products separate from non-certified products throughout the production line.

KMF signed an agreement with two of the world’s largest halal organizations, JAKIM from Malaysia and MUIS from Singapore, on a cross-certification system. When exporting to Malaysia and Singapore, an exporter can use the KMF-issued halal certification. KMF also plans to extend the cross-certification system by signing an agreement with MUI in Indonesia.

A spokesperson for Ildong Pharmaceutical said, “The acquisition of a halal certification will not merely help Ildong Pharmaceutical’s attempt at entering markets in the Islamic world, but also propagate the excellent quality and safety of Biovita around world and help increase customer confidence.” The halal certification process of probiotics developed at Ildong research center is currently underway.