Understanding the JAKIM Halal Certificate for Single-Outlet Restaurants

Halal certification is not just about buying chicken from a Muslim supplier. For a restaurant, the authorities assess the whole operation of the premises: menu, ingredients, workers, kitchen, procedures, hygiene and records.

Which certificate do you need to apply for?

A single-outlet restaurant usually chooses Skim Premis Makanan (Food Premises scheme) → Restoran atau Kafe (Restaurant or Cafe) in the MYeHALAL system. This is different from the Skim Produk Makanan dan Minuman (Food and Beverage Products scheme) for manufacturers or owners of packaged products. A supplier's product halal certificate does not automatically make a restaurant halal certified; likewise, a halal-certified restaurant does not mean every one of its packaged products has a separate product certificate.

JAKIM coordinates the national certification framework. For most local restaurants, the application and audit involve the relevant Majlis/Jabatan Agama Islam Negeri (MAIN/JAIN, the state Islamic religious council/department). The Sijil Pengesahan Halal Malaysia (SPHM, the Malaysia Halal Certificate) only exists after official approval; the operator being Muslim, or the use of ingredients believed to be halal, is not a substitute for the certificate.

Who should read this series?

This guide is for owners of a restaurant, cafe or eatery operating from a single fixed premises, including micro enterprises. It is not a detailed procedure for franchises, hotels, central kitchens, catering or food product manufacturing, which have additional requirements.

Journey map

Three common misunderstandings

1. “The owner is Muslim, so the shop is already certified halal.” No. Muslim ownership is not an SPHM.
2. “The chicken has a halal certificate, so every dish is certified halal.” No. Sauces, oil, seasonings, utensils, processes and documentation are assessed too.
3. “We can certify just a few menu items.” For the restaurant scheme, every menu item offered at the premises must be declared and covered by the application.

Next step: use the eligibility list in Article 2 before registering on MYeHALAL.

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Official sources and editorial notes

• MPPHM (Domestik) 2020, amendment in force from 1 April 2026. Key references: clauses 5–9, 18(4), 19, 21, 25–30 and 34–36.
• Pekeliling Pensijilan Halal Malaysia Bilangan 2 Tahun 2026 (Malaysia Halal Certification Circular No. 2 of 2026), which revokes the 2020 circular on HCA.
• Portal Halal Malaysia and MYeHALAL.

Note: ManaHalal is an independent information platform, not a body that issues the SPHM. This guide was updated based on official sources reviewed on 5 November 2026. Final decisions and requirements are subject to JAKIM, MAIN/JAIN (Majlis/Jabatan Agama Islam Negeri, the state Islamic religious councils and departments) and the latest notices.