A Legal Perspective on Halal Certification and Digital Platform Utilization to Strengthen Consumer Trust in Culinary MSMEs Nunik Nurhayati, Rohmad Suryadi, Sakina Yeti Kiptiyah
Faculty of Law and Political Science, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta.
Business Digital Study Program, Politeknik Bisnis dan Perpajakan Indonesia.
Food Technology Study Program, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Muhammadiyah Bandung.
Abstract
This study aims to analyze the legal role of halal certification in promoting information transparency and consumer trust in culinary MSMEs within the digital era. The background of this research is rooted in the mandatory halal certification regulated under Law Number 33 of 2014 on Halal Product Assurance, which has yet to be fully complied with by business actors, while halal certification information is often unavailable on digital platforms. The urgency of this study lies in the need to fulfill legal obligations for halal certification integrated with digital business utilization to strengthen consumer trust and enhance the competitiveness of culinary MSME products. A normative juridical method complemented by empirical surveys was employed, with respondents drawn from consumers in Surakarta City, selected for its reputation as a tourism hub renowned for its diverse culinary attractions. The findings reveal that the absence of halal certification information on digital platforms negatively affects consumer trust and purchase decisions. Conversely, transparent disclosure of halal certification through social media and e-commerce platforms significantly improves consumer confidence in product integrity. This study concludes that enforcing the legal obligation of halal certification, supported by digital information disclosure, is essential. The novelty of this research lies in its integrative analysis of halal certification law, digital technology, and consumer behavior as a comprehensive strategy for legal consumer protection and the empowerment of culinary MSMEs in a competitive market.
