Halalan Toyyiban Concept in Food Production and Consumption for Lifestyle: Thailand’s Industry Perspective

Halal is an Arabic term meaning 'permitted.' A Halal product is one that is permissible according to Islamic law. In the context of foods, halal refers to food and beverages that are permissible for consumption according to Islamic law. This involves avoiding prohibited ingredients such as pork and alcohol, slaughtering animals in a specific manner, and preventing cross-contamination to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Despite Thailand's Buddhist majority, the country's food industry is witnessing an increasing demand for Halal-certified products. This demand stems from the rising Muslim tourist market and the export potential to Muslim-majority nations. To support and foster the growth of the halal food industry, it is imperative to understand the behaviors of both Muslims and non-Muslims towards halal food. This study aims to explore the concept of halal from an Islamic perspective, observe Thai people's behavior in food production and consumption, evaluate the importance of halal certificates in reflecting public awareness, and assess the potential for developing the halal food industry in non-Muslim majority Thailand.