Self-medication in Indonesia has recently increased; consumers can easily purchase non-prescription drugs, and many people use over-the-counter (OTC) medicines as an alternative for self-medication. However, Muslim customers have difficulty ensuring that their OTC medicines are halal. In Indonesia, the lack of a halal logo on OTC medicines is due to the producers’ lack of awareness. This may raise doubt given that approximately 95% of the pharmaceutical raw materials are imported from non-Muslim countries. Although there is growing literature on halal pharmaceuticals, unfortunately, the focus on OTC is limited. To fill this gap, factors that influence the intention to purchase halal-certified OTC medicines are investigated. This study which was conducted in Bekasi, Indonesia, examined the factors that influenced Muslim consumers’ purchase intentions for halal-certified OTC medicines. About 325 Muslim consumers in Bekasi, Indonesia, participated in this study. The information was gathered using questionnaires with convenient sampling techniques. This study employs the theory of consumption value, which consists of the factors of functional value (price), functional value (quality), social value (pharmacist advice), emotional value (halal logo), conditional value, and epistemic value of respondents’ intentions to purchase halal-certified OTC medicines. According to the findings of this study, three factors: functional value (quality), emotional value (halal logo), and epistemic value, have a significant relationship with the purchase intention of halal-certified OTC medicines in Bekasi, Indonesia. The results also found that Muslim customers in Bekasi have a high level of trust in pharmacists’ advice. Furthermore, selected demographics such as education level and occupation type are significantly different towards the purchase intention of halal-certified OTC medicines. Significant research has been done for halal food certification, but fewer studies have been conducted on halal OTC medicine certification. More research is needed to rationalise the reasons behind the reluctancy of OTC brand owners in Indonesia to apply for halal certification and what can be done to enable more OTC products to be halal certified. Therefore, a qualitative and quantitative survey for halal-certified medicines should be performed to explore why certain brand owners of OTC medicines may not want to continue with a halal certification even though their products met the criteria and had received a registration number from Indonesia Food and Drug Administration [Badan Pengawasan Obat dan Makanan (BPOM)].

The development of halal industries has created more business opportunities for entrepreneurs. Although there is growing literature in Halal management and consumerism, empirical studies that focus on both bakery ingredients and online entrepreneurs are limited. To fill this gap, factors that influence intention to use halal-certified bakery ingredients among online entrepreneurs are investigated. A quantitative method was used in this study. The data were obtained from 165 online Muslim entrepreneurs in Malaysia by using convenience sampling. The adopted questionnaire was used as a re-search instrument, grounded by the Theory of planned behaviour (TPB). In this study, the TPB model was extended by including additional components to measure self-identity, moral obligation, and barriers. Descriptive analysis and exploratory factor analysis were conducted through a statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). Partial least squares (PLS), a variance-based structural equation modelling method was adopted to test the hypotheses. The results obtained based on the path analysis showed that attitude and subjective norm of the entrepreneurs both are statistically significant in influencing intention to use halal-certified bakery ingredients. In contrast, perceived behavior control, self-identity, and moral obligations of entrepreneurs had no significant influence on intention to use halal-certified bakery ingredients. Thus, to improve intention and usage behaviour, intervention should be made on the attitude and subjective norm of respondents. In addition, to complement the study on determinants of intention to use halal-certified bakery ingredients, this study also assesses whether an intention to use halal-certified bakery ingredients is different de-pending on the demographics of the online Muslim entrepreneurs. Using one-way ANOVA, results showed that there were no significant differences in the intention of using halal-certified bakery ingredients among entrepreneurs with different gender, ages, education levels, residency and income. There were also no significant differences in intention among those who sold different bakery products, and how long they have been selling their bakery products. Limitations, theoretical and practical implications of the study are also discussed.

The issue of naming halal foods with haram names has been a major topic in newspapers and social media lately. Even a slight uncertainty of this issue will lead to a number of misunderstandings about religious institutions, and Islam itself. The misunderstanding and confusion of naming food products is increasing at a concerning rate in terms of the contents of the said product being labelled with misleading names. This study aims to highlights the problem regarding the research of misleading names in food labels related to JAKIM's halal certification requirements. The methodology used in this study is a qualitative research that covers two types of data which will be collected through survey questionnaires and interviews. In addition, during data collection, documentation analysis as secondary data was used to support information that was researched upon. The data collected was analyzed and tested using the SPSS software. Based on the analysis conducted in this study, it was found that the knowledge and awareness of Islamic consumers regarding misleading names on food labels and JAKIM halal certification requirements is unsatisfactory. This study aims to raise awareness towards the authorities responsible for improving the effectiveness of informing Muslim consumers in regards to the vague halal status provided by products with misleading names.

Beyond emergence of global halal industry, halal is one of the significant bloc markets in Malaysia. Rise in the numbers of halal industrial players force Malaysia government to actively involve as well. The involvement of Malaysia government in halal industry is not only to ensure the halal services offered and production of halal foods and goods are following Islamic criteria, but to protect consumers from any kind of wrongdoings of industrial players as well. This research highlights research problem in halal monitoring and law enforcement particularly on the unrecognized Malaysia halal logo. The existence of various halal logo including other countries open the door to irresponsible local manufacturer to use unrecognized Malaysia halal logo. Confusion arises among Muslim consumers about which one is the most supreme halal agency especially the responsible agency in halal monitoring and enforcement system. Therefore, the purpose of the research is to measure the level of Muslim consumers’ awareness and knowledge about halal monitoring and law enforcement system in Malaysia. The study applies quantitative research methodology that includes two types of data collection which are questionnaire survey and interview. In addition to that, during data collection, documentation analysis as secondary data used to support research information. Data collected will be analyzed and tested by using SPSS software. In this study, research finding shows Muslim consumers’ knowledge and awareness on halal monitoring and law enforcement are pretty low. Plus, consumers have a very little knowledge on the process of complaining the misuse of the unrecognized Malaysia halal logo. This research is looking at the role of Muslim consumers and their responsibilities towards effective halal monitoring and law enforcement on the unrecognized Malaysia halal logo.