Muslim Workers, the Halal Supervisor and Food Handlers
How to organise responsibilities and make sure training and vaccinations are valid.
Last reviewed 5 November 2026
For a Restoran atau Kafe (Restaurant or Café) (including the eating-shop category applying as a restaurant), the amended MPPHM (Manual Prosedur Pensijilan Halal Malaysia, the Malaysia Halal Certification Procedure Manual) provides for at least one permanently employed Muslim worker who is a Malaysian citizen for each premises, on duty throughout the operating period or shift. The premises also need to appoint a Penyelia Halal (Halal Supervisor) and implement an Internal Halal Control System (IHCS).
What if the restaurant runs two shifts?
Imagine a restaurant open from 8 am to 10 pm. A Muslim worker who only works from 8 am to 5 pm does not on their own meet the coverage requirement for the hours after 5 pm. The operator needs to plan the work schedule so the operating-hours/shift requirement is met continuously. Get confirmation from JAIN/MAIN (Jabatan/Majlis Agama Islam Negeri, the state Islamic religious department/council) for arrangements specific to your premises.
What does the Halal Supervisor do?
The Halal Supervisor is a permanently employed Muslim who is a Malaysian citizen, appointed to supervise compliance. In practice, the duties include:
- checking ingredients before purchase and use;
- making sure suppliers and the required halal certificates are verified;
- making sure workers understand halal and hygiene procedures;
- managing records, complaints and corrective actions;
- acting as the reference officer during audits.
The Halal Supervisor is not just a name on an appointment letter; the role needs to work in actual operations.
Food handler training and anti-typhoid
Every food handler needs to have a Sijil Latihan Pengendali Makanan (Food Handler Training Certificate) from an institution recognised by the KKM (Ministry of Health) and a still-valid anti-typhoid vaccination. Check every worker who prepares, touches, handles or serves food, not only the cooks.
| Worker record | Example information |
|---|---|
| Name and position | Ali — morning shift cook |
| Employment status and shift | Permanent — 8:00–17:00 |
| Food handler training | Date, institution, copy of certificate |
| Anti-typhoid | Injection date, validity status |
| Halal awareness training | Date, topic, attendance |
| Halal Supervisor appointment | Appointment letter and scope of duties |
Worker control flow
Action today: print a one-week shift schedule, check that there is no operating time without the required coverage, and set up a worker file.
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.