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Announcing the IFANCA 15th International Halal Food Conference to be held in Chicago from April 11-13, 2013. Registration details to follow.

IFANCA Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Penta Global to Promote Halal in South Korea

A s of September 2012, Penta Global will be the exclusive representative for IFANCA in South Korea and shall act as a liaison between local companies and IFANCA headquarters. “IFANCA will take halal certification referrals exclusively from Penta Global South Korea for the duration of the relationship and we look forward to a mutually successful partnership,” said IFANCA President, Dr. Muhammad Munir Chaudry.

Islamic Da’wah Council of the Philippines (IDCP) Delisted by JAKIM

M anila, Philippines - The Malaysian Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM) has delisted Islamic Da’wah Council of the Philippines (IDCP) from their list of Recognized Halal Certifying Bodies, as of May 2012. The IDCP halal logos currently appear on Ribena, Kellogg’s and select Nestle Products made in the Philippines. JAKIM has confirmed that the Philippines government had never accredited IDCP as a halal certifier. The National Commission for Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), established by the Philippines government, regulates the country’s halal industry. It is responsible for accrediting credible non-governmental, non-profit organizations to issue halal certificates in the Philippines.

New IFANCA Halal Certified Companies:

Insulin-Sensitizing Effects of Resistant Starch Linked to Changes in Fat Metabolism
in Humans: New clinical study demonstrates that IFANCA halal certified HI-MAIZE^®
resistant starch increases metabolically important lipases in adipose tissue

Corn Products International, once known as Corn Products Refining Co. and CPC, following its purchase of National Starch has culminated in a new corporation, Ingredion Incorporated, a name that better reflects their joint portfolio. Today a leading global provider of ingredient solutions, it recently announced the results of a new independent clinical trial published in the September 2012 issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. The study showed that the consumption of IFANCA halal certified HI-MAIZE resistant starch improves certain aspects of fatty acid metabolism within adipose (fat) tissue in study participants. These findings are significant because research has shown that impairment in fatty acid metabolism within fat cells cause excess fat storage in muscles, liver and the pancreas, which directly causes insulin resistance, a major biomarker for prediabetes. The findings also help explain how fat metabolism contributes to the development of prediabetes. Prediabetes is defined by the American Diabetes Association as blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. The US Centers for Disease Control has estimated that nearly 80 million American adults have prediabetes.

All study participants were considered sedentary and during the study, they maintained their normal daily activity levels. The study participants, who consumed 40 grams of dietary fiber/day from HI-MAIZE resistant starch as a supplement to their diet for 8 weeks, experienced a 16% reduction in fasting insulin levels and 4% lower fasting glucose compared to the control that contained no resistant starch. In addition, study participants experienced a 65% increase in glucose uptake into muscles after eating and insulin sensitivity in the muscles rose 21% as measured by the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp method.

According to Dr. Christine Pelkman, Clinical Research Manager for Ingredion, “In many ways, metabolism can work against us in a vicious cycle. Improper storage of fat causes insulin resistance, which leads to more storage of fat, and more storage of fat further escalates insulin resistance. The primary recommendation to improve insulin sensitivity (and decrease insulin resistance) is to lose weight. However, according to a recent article in Health Affairs, a journal focusing on health care and public policy, even when people are diagnosed with prediabetes, the percentage who commit to permanent lifestyle change, weight loss and maintenance of weight loss remains relatively low. The exciting news from this study is that HI-MAIZE resistant starch can give people an additional tool with which they can improve their insulin sensitivity and break the cycle.”

HI-MAIZE resistant starch is made from a proprietary high amylose corn hybrid by Ingredion Incorporated. It contains approximately 40% slowly digestible (glycemic) starch and 60% resistant starch (insoluble fiber that resists digestion in the small intestine and reaches the large intestine). In the last 20 years, more than 350 published studies – including more than 90 human clinical trials – have demonstrated a range of health related benefits from the consumption of HI-MAIZE resistant starch, including assisting blood sugar and energy management, weight management and satiety in healthy individuals. It can be added to foods such as breads, baked goods and snacks by partly replacing flour or to smoothies, yogurt or oatmeal in a simple blending process.

For additional information, including a list of foods containing HI-MAIZE resistant starch, where to buy HI-MAIZE resistant starch for home cooking, visit www.hi-maize.com. For the latest research updates on the nutritional benefits of resistant starch from high-amylose corn, visit www.resistantstarch.com.

IFANCA Presenting on the “The Halal Economy” at 2012 Food Export Marketing Forum, Hosted by Food Export Association of the Midwest USA and Food Export
USA-Northeast

Chicago, October 2-3, 2012 - The 2012 Food Export Marketing Forum, presented by Food Export Association of the Midwest USA and Food Export USA-Northeast, will bring together over 150 participants representing food and agricultural companies across the Midwest and Northeast United States. Asma Ahad, IFANCA Director, Market Development and Walter Westerveld, a buyer from Engel Foreign Food of BV-Netherlands will be on a panel entitled “The Halal Economy” during the Marketing Forum. This session will take place on Wednesday October 3 from 2:30-3:15 at the InterContinental Hotel in the Empire Room. One fifth of the world’s population across nearly 150 countries now has developed a preference for halal foods creating new opportunities for U.S. products. In this session attendees will: Understand the differences between halal and non-halal foods learn how to establish certification and the labeling requirements for food products, determine the most promising markets and products within the halal industry and understand the importance of Malaysia as a “Halal Hub.” Attendees will include qualified international buyers interested in U.S. products, representing nearly 25 markets. U.S. suppliers will also have the opportunity to present their products to international buyers. The Forum provides a great educational and promotional opportunity for companies to learn, network and get their products and information in front of international buyers.

IFANCA at 2012 China (Ningxia) International Investment and Trade Fair & the 3rd China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum

Sept. 11-17, 2012 Yinchuan Ningxia, China – Dr. Sabir Ali, Plant Auditor, IFANCA, recently spoke at the 2012 China (Ningxia) International Investment and Trade Fair & the 3rd China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum organized by the Chinese Provincial Govt. His presentation covered details that defined halal and provided requirements for halal certification. Besides discussing technical details related to food science, he also shared information on food safety requirements and market opportunities for halal certified products. “The interest in the subject and attendance by representatives of such varied nations was indicative of the reach halal has globally. Halal truly is a global business phenomenon,” said Dr. Ali. Other speakers represented China’s Central and Provincial Government, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Australia and Taiwan.

JAKIM Malaysia Training Attended by 50 Halal Certification Organizations representing nations from Australia to Chile, USA & Japan

13^th -14^th Sept, 2012 – The Conference of the Recognised Foreign Halal Certification Bodies 2012 was held in Malaysia from 13th to 14th September, 2012 with attendees representing nations from Australia to Chile, USA and Japan. Welcoming remarks were made by Y.Bhg. Dato’ Othman Bin Mustapha, Director General, JAKIM. The presentations that followed covered topics ranging from the Trade Description Act of 2011 to Management System Requirements for Transportation of Goods and/or Cargo Chain Services, Warehousing & Retailing. The speakers represented the Malaysian Ministry of Domestic Trade, Consumerism and Cooperation, the Malyasian Institute of Transport (MITRANS), JAKIM and other stakeholders. Madame Hakimah moderated the two day conference and answered many questions to clarify Malaysia's position on several key issues.

Congratulations!

Heartiest Congratulations to Haider Khattak, Director, IFANCA, Canada , Mrs. Khattak & family on the birth of their daughter, Aleena Khattak, on September 09, 2012 .