Agilent Technologies and Universiti Putra Malaysia to Collaborate on Halal Food Research

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, April 5, 2012 – Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) and Universiti Putra Malaysia today announced a collaboration to strengthen Malaysia’s research capabilities for halal food products, with particular emphasis on food authentication and food safety.

“Halal” is an Arabic word meaning lawful or allowable. Any product deemed halal is permitted for use and consumption by Muslims. According to World Halal Forum, the halal food market is worth an estimated $662 billion a year, representing almost 17 percent of the global food industry.
Exchange of the MOU document between Shidah Ahmad, vice president and general manager, Agilent Technologies and Dr. Russly Abdul Rahman, director of the Halal Products Research Institute, Universiti Putra Malaysia witnessed by Dato' Sri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of International Trade and Industry Malaysia.

Agilent announced the agreement today with the university’s Halal Products Research Institute, Malaysia’s top research organization for halal products. This partnership, the first of its kind for Agilent in the South Asia Pacific region, will help Malaysia assert itself as the world halal hub.

“HPRI was established to uphold the sanctity of halal through research and services,” said Dr. Russly Abdul Rahman, director of the Halal Products Research Institute, Universiti Putra Malaysia. “Today’s announcement with Agilent is a major step for UPM in nurturing top-notch halal scientists and in delivering world-class research programs that are needed to increase the confidence in halal products and services.”

“Today’s announcement delivers on our commitment to research and innovation,” said Shidah Ahmad, vice president and general manager, Agilent. “By supporting research capabilities through world-class technologies and expertise in a variety of applications, Agilent is helping Malaysia strengthen its halal economy.”

Under the agreement, Agilent will provide HPRI with the Agilent 6490 Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry System, which offers 10 times more sensitivity compared to its nearest rival, along with access to global expertise in food safety and authenticity testing. Liquid chromatography is useful for separating nonvolatile and thermally fragile molecules. For more complex mixtures or when more information is required, the chromatograph is used in conjunction with a mass spectrometer, which is effective in identifying unknown compounds and determining the amount of each substance encountered.

“Agilent has long been developing analytical tools and methods used by government, industry and private labs worldwide to detect and measure food content and quality as well as food safety,” said Tan Mei Mei, regional business director for Agilent’s Chemical Analysis Group in South East Asia. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with UPM for halal research that will benefit mankind.”

Agilent will provide HPRI with competency training for the institute’s lab professionals undertaking chemical analysis. Through this collaboration, HPRI will drive research into the development of methods for porcine-gelation screening and amino acids profiling, including adulteration analysis and confirmation.

HPRI leads research in three core areas:

• Halal science, including biotechnology, food science and new methodologies for halal products authentication and certification.

• Halal policy and management, including the application of Islamic law for disciplines such as marketing, consumer behavior, security and logistics management of halal slaughter.

• Halal services, including alternative techniques for the development of halal products such as alternative sources for halal gelatin.

About Halal Products Research Institute, Universiti Putra Malaysia

Halal Products Research Institute (HPRI) was established on the 1st July 2006 after the restructuring of the Institute of Halal Food. HPRI is dedicated to the research and development (R&D) related to halal products and serves as ‘one stop center’ through a multifaceted approach on various aspects of halal products.

The vision of HPRI is to be a referral center for a global halal products research and development. The mission of HPRI is to be the center of excellence in halal products research and to provide professional services for the enhancement of the halal system globally. HPRI’s main objective is to carry out R&D on halal products and processes. It is aimed also to serve as a center for training and analytical services, database development on halal products and processes, study issues in halal policies and to actively collaborate with other agencies towards achieving Malaysia’s vision as the Global Halal Hub.

HPRI provides analytical services for halal authentication and verification of food and non-food products. Our laboratories are equipped with sophisticated high-end machines such as 4-Dimensional Gas Chromatography Time of Flight Mass Spectrophotometer (GC0TOF-MS), Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR), various technology liquid chromatography machines, Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC), molecular biology testing equipment, Texture Analyzer, Protein Determination System, Fat Determination System, High Resolution Microscope and Fibertec System.

HPRI has broad range of expertise in halal-related research. The areas identified are fats and oils, microbiology, biotechnology, meat quality, slaughtering management, food science and technology, food processing and engineering, halal business, shariah, veterinary, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmetics.

The combination of our scientific and technological knowledge and innovation platforms, which bring together a range of partners and many research activities, allows HPRI to develop training courses and professional services.

HPRI offers training programs designed in the form of short and tailor-made courses and workshops. These activities bring together those scientists sharing common concerns in specific fields. The workshops are intended to be, above all, a place to exchange information and share experience round an innovative topic.

HPRI has developed few analytical techniques to detect non-halal components in a product. With the knowledge and skills, HPRI also welcome clients to consultancy program in halal-related fields.

A comprehensive approach in the halal industry requires a balance of knowledge and expertise of Islamic tenets and food science, biochemistry, microbiology, as well as business and management. At HPRI, a lot of progress in R&D activities such as method development, product and process innovation and also research in policy and management being done since the establishment.

Supported by Economic Planning Unit, Prime Minister Department, Halal Analysis Laboratory has been established in Putra-Infoport, Universiti Putra Malaysia. This is the first in Malaysia, a laboratory is equipped with sophisticated analytical instrument dedicated to halal analytical services.

The establishment of RM10 million worth laboratory is expected to help overcome the shortage of laboratories capable of carrying out the analysis of halal products which is currently undertaken by the Department of Chemistry, MOSTI. This is in accordance with national aspiration to become a major player in carrying out the analysis and verification of halal products. These developments are expected to strengthen further Malaysia’s position as the leading global halal hub.