Consumers Knowledge and Readiness in Accepting the Implementation of Mandatory Malaysia Halal Certification Scheme (MHCS)

Food Industries in Malaysia have implemented the Malaysian Halal Certification Scheme (MHCS) on voluntary basis for more than 49 years. This long experience should be exploited to boost the implementation of mandatory MHCS involving all categories of food premises. The aim of this study was to analyze the level of knowledge and readiness of consumers in Malaysia in accepting the implementation of mandatory MHCS by food industries. The study was quantitatively conducted involving consumers who were structured randomly selected from five different zones in Malaysia. All the study data were collected using specific pre-tested questionnaire and were analyzed using the statistical computer software program SPSS 21.0 (Windows). The results of the study show that the level of knowledge and readiness of consumers in Malaysia toward the implementation of mandatory MHCS is at a satisfactory level or at a medium high level. The level of knowledge and readiness status of Malay Muslim consumers is higher compared to non-Malay and non-Muslim consumers. The consumers’ knowledge level could be used as an indicator of country readiness in the implementation of mandatory MHCS.