Abstract: The controversy surrounding the halal status of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, combined with the urgency of pandemic control efforts, has raised concerns among Muslim communities, particularly in rural settings. This study examines the effects of halal awareness, perceived emergency conditions, and religiosity on individuals’ decisions to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine in Kaliombo Village, Bojonegoro Regency. A quantitative survey involving 112 respondents was analyzed using multiple regression, t-tests, F-tests, and Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA). The results show that halal awareness has a statistically significant direct effect on vaccination decisions (t = 2.227, p = 0.028), whereas perceived emergency conditions do not (t = 1.803, p = 0.074). Together, halal awareness and emergency conditions significantly influence vaccination decisions (F = 9.253, p < 0.001), though their explanatory power remains modest (R² = 0.145). Religiosity does not moderate these relationships but functions as an independent predictor (t = 2.653, p = 0.009), increasing the explained variance to 17.5% (R² = 0.175). While statistically significant, these effects are substantively modest, indicating that behavioral decisions are shaped by multiple social and contextual factors. Overall, the findings highlight the prominent role of halal awareness and religiosity in vaccine acceptance and underscore the need to integrate religious considerations into public health communication strategies. Show less...

Abstract: The rapid expansion of the halal economy has created challenges in ensuring compliance within traditional markets, where regulatory frameworks often diverge from everyday consumer practices. This study examines the implementation of Halal Supply Chain Management (HSCM) in two traditional poultry markets in Surabaya Wonokromo and Asem by assessing halal certification, operational practices, and consumer purchasing behavior. A qualitative case study design was applied using purposive sampling to recruit 20 participants, including farmers, distributors, slaughterhouse operators, retailers, and consumers. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, systematic observations, and document analysis conducted between August and November 2019. The document analysis involved halal certificates, market permits, and regulatory guidelines, supporting triangulation of findings. Although the data were collected in 2019, they remain relevant because structural conditions in traditional markets and consumer purchasing patterns have not changed substantially in recent years. Findings show that Wonokromo Market uses slaughterhouses certified by the Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI), yet certification has minimal influence on buyer decisions. Most consumers prioritize freshness (72%), price (65%), and proximity (58%), while only 22% consider halal labels important. Asem Market, meanwhile, follows halal-compliant slaughtering practices despite lacking formal certification, largely due to low consumer demand and limited regulatory accessibility. The study concludes that halal certification enhances procedural credibility but has limited economic and behavioral impact in traditional markets, where trust is shaped primarily by cultural norms, vendor familiarity, and direct product assessment. Strengthening halal assurance systems therefore requires integrated strategies that combine consumer education, policy incentives, and more accessible certification mechanisms. Show less...

Abstract: The rapid growth of the halal industry has increased the need for reliable halal products, yet concerns persist regarding consumer awareness and the credibility of certification systems. This study examines the effects of Halal Awareness and Halal Certification on Purchase Intention among university students in Semarang, Indonesia. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted using structured online questionnaires distributed to 100 undergraduate students. This sample size meets minimum methodological recommendations for regression analyses, allowing adequate statistical testing of the proposed relationships. Data were analyzed through validity and reliability assessments, classical assumption tests, and multiple regression analysis using IBM SPSS Statistics 25. The results show that Halal Awareness (β = 0.391, p = 0.006) and Halal Certification (β = 0.566, p < 0.001) both have significant positive effects on Purchase Intention. The model explains 43.8% of the variance in purchase intention (Adjusted R² = 0.438), indicating moderate explanatory power while suggesting that more than half of consumer intention is influenced by factors not measured in this study. The analysis focuses specifically on awareness and certification constructs, without incorporating additional variables such as religiosity, perceived quality, or prior purchasing experience.Because the respondents were drawn from a single Islamic university, the findings are context-specific and not representative of the broader Indonesian population. Nonetheless, the study highlights the importance of improving consumer understanding of halal principles and strengthening certification credibility. Future research should employ more diverse samples and longitudinal designs to enhance generalizability and clarify causal relationships. Show less...

Abstract: Food adulteration with porcine derivatives poses significant challenges to halal authentication and consumer protection. Sensitive molecular detection methods are therefore required to support food authenticity assessment. This study aimed to evaluate the analytical sensitivity of a PCR-based assay targeting porcine mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) DNA. Genomic DNA was isolated from porcine intestine, adipose tissue, liver, blood, and muscle using the Wizard® Genomic DNA Purification Kit, quantified by spectrophotometry, and amplified using species-specific primers. Analytical sensitivity was assessed using stepwise serial dilutions of porcine DNA under controlled laboratory conditions. The extracted DNA showed acceptable purity for PCR amplification, with A260/A280 ratios within the expected range. PCR amplification produced detectable cyt b bands across a wide range of nominal DNA dilution levels, indicating high analytical sensitivity of the assay. The detection limit was determined operationally based on consistent visual band detection following agarose gel electrophoresis. These findings demonstrate the potential of the optimized PCR assay as a sensitive molecular tool for porcine DNA detection, with prospective applicability for halal authentication and food safety monitoring pending further validation in complex food matrices. Show less...

Abstract: The increasing diversity of food and beverage products in modern markets raises concerns regarding Muslim consumers’ consistency in prioritizing halal-certified products. Although halal awareness has been widely discussed, empirical studies focusing on students within Islamic-based academic programs remain limited. This study aims to examine the relationship between halal awareness and halal consumption among undergraduate students of the Sharia Economic Law Program at UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta. A quantitative approach was employed, involving 307 students from the 2019–2022 cohorts selected through proportional sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using correlation and simple linear regression techniques. The results indicate a significant positive association between halal awareness and halal consumption (R = 0.690; R² = 0.476; t = 16.652; p < 0.001). Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r = 0.642) further demonstrates a moderately strong positive relationship between the two variables. These findings suggest that students with higher levels of halal awareness tend to exhibit stronger halal consumption behavior. However, the proportion of variance explained also indicates that factors beyond awareness may influence consumption decisions. The study highlights the importance of strengthening halal awareness through educational initiatives and institutional support as part of broader efforts to promote halal lifestyles. The results also provide insights for educational institutions and policymakers in developing strategies that support the sustainable growth of the halal industry, particularly among young consumers. Show less...