Seminar on Kelulut and Public Consultation Session for the Draft Standard of Stingless Bee Honey MS 2683 (First Revision)

By, Adibah Amir

A landmark seminar focusing on stingless bees, locally known as Kelulut, was held at Universiti Selangor on Saturday, 18 January 2025 marking the launch of a public consultation for the first revision of the draft standard for Kelulut honey, MS 2683. It was organized by Madu Iqra, a prominent name in the Kelulut honey industry. The event brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, academic experts, and industry players, to discuss advancements in stingless bee cultivation, honey quality, and sustainable practices.

The seminar saw participation from prominent figures, including representatives from the Department of Standards Malaysia (JSM), the Ministry of Health (MOH), and researchers from institutions such as the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), University Malaya (UM), Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), the National Institute of Biotechnology Malaysia (NIBM), and the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI). Kelulut honey producers from across the country also attended, manifesting the industry’s dedication to standardization and quality assurance.

Among the key discussions was the stipulation that dehydrated honey must not exceed 22 percent moisture content. While this aims to elevate product quality, small-scale producers voiced concerns over the lack of accessible machinery to meet this requirement, highlighting a potential barrier for smaller operators in the industry.

Addressing these challenges, IIUM’s Kelulut Research Group has leveraged its expertise in designing small-scale machinery for processing heat-sensitive products like honey. The Kelulut laboratory at Kulliyyah of Engineering has developed a smart dehydrator prototype designed specifically to cater for small to medium scale operations. This innovation offers an efficient dehydration solution without the need for high investment, a large space for machine installation or significant maintenance cost. This advancement is expected to assist smaller producers in meeting the proposed standards and ensuring consistent honey quality.

Rooted in IIUM’s Tawhidic principles, the researchers integrated ethical responsibility with technological advancement, aligning with Islamic values and Sustainable Development Goal No. 9, which promotes sustainable industrialization and innovation. This approach conveys the university’s commitment to fostering sustainable practices while addressing the practical needs of the Kelulut honey industry.

A group photo session at the end of the seminar.

JSM’s appreciation to Dr. Adibah Amir, as one of the speakers of the seminar.

(These are views of Dr. Adibah Amir, who is affiliated with the Department of Manufacturing and Materials Engineering, Kulliyyah of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, which do not represent IIUMToday’s.)