With the OSV at Simons Halal

On Thursday 25 April 2019, we visited Simons Halal Food in Roermond, together with more than 60 members of the Ondernemers Sociëteit Voedingsindustrie (OSV).  Simons Halal Food is the largest supplier of private label halal meat products in Europe.

We were very surprised when we saw that a huge tent had been set up especially for this visit. With fixed walls, modernly furnished and equipped with all the equipment needed for the lectures. 

John Seegers, director: "What we do we do well or we don't do it!"

And it was good. After the reception with coffee and Limburg flan, it was difficult to silence the room for the presentations. Such enthusiasm among the people, so many contacts made, they couldn't stop talking. But it worked.

Lianne Slots explained in her presentation what she has to deal with as a quality manager of a food-producing company. Her story was complemented by Annemarie Tielens, who brought the labelling of the products to the attention of the public. A beautiful bridge for Nino Bruggers from DVAN, who completed the presentation with his presentation "Temptation or deception". With practical examples, we were briefly reminded of the facts. Legislation is normally black or white, but there are still many nuances to be found that allow manufacturers to be creative with their labelling.  Seduction is condoned, but deception is punished.

Guided tour

Then we were shown around the factory in groups of 10. Again we could ask anything, everything was answered, no secrets (except for the recipes :)). 

Producing Halal requires more from a production company. In order to obtain the highest certification - the Jakim Standard, issued by the Islamic authority in Malaysia - a granite production floor was laid in the new factory (2008), for example, which was made of pig components without any binding agents. "Considerably more expensive, but in accordance with the very highest standards in Halal," says John Seegers.

Simons Halal Food immediately joined the OSV

Back in the tent all kinds of delicious snacks were served and we were able to network with each other for a while while while enjoying a drink. They gratefully made use of this, because we were still far from finished talking. but all good things come to an end. After exchanging the last tickets we said goodbye to our host and his team and drove home with a satisfied feeling.

Marielle Edwards and Anne Marie Tielens, thank you for your efforts and organization on location, you took care of the cream on the cake :) .

Halal

Halal/Helal means clean, permitted, legal, legitimate.

Halal applies to products and actions. It is a dietary theory with clear rules and guidelines that Muslims must adhere to. These dietary laws are based on the Koran, Sunna and Islamic jurisprudence of recognized Islamic scholars. 

Simons Halal Food is controlled and certified by various Islamic Halal control organisations, including Halal Quality Control in The Hague (Netherlands) and Halal Europe (Dr. Hawari), the Islamic centre of Aachen (Germany). 

Simons Halal Food meets the highest halal certification requirements set by the JAKIM organisation (Malaysia) and will soon be certified in accordance with this high standard.

www.simonsholland.nl

View the photo album of this day