Perception and factors influencing the choice of halal eating premises among University Malaysia Terengganu students

Abstract

This study was carried out to study about University Malaysia Terengganu students' perception and factors influencing their choice of Halal eating premises. Stratified, purposive and random samplings were used. Data collected using a self-administered questionnaire and there were 345 respondents involved in this study. Result from the study indicated that there are 130 males (37.7%) and 215 females (62.3%). Majority of students aged from 21-23 years old (56.2%). Most of the respondents were aware about the existence of negative condition related to Halal procedure, particularly about misuse of Halal logo (92.8%), followed by slaughtering process (91.0%) and the last negative condition familiar to them is about non-Halal ingredient usage (particularly pork) (35.4%). Most famous sources of information about Halal eating premises are from Halal logo display (33%) and from family (31.6%), while the least popular source of information are through internet (11.6%) and confident that the premise is Halal even though never been there (10.1 %). Most influencing factors in their choice of Halal eating premises are religion (86.4%), followed by knowledge about Halal and Halal food (72.5%) and family influence (57.19%). Least influencing factors are low food choice (22.3%), easy to locate the premise (24.6%) and arrangement of Halal and non-Halal food (37.4%). There are significant relationship between state of origin, availability of Halal eating premises (r = 0.110, p< 0.05) and low food cost (r = 0.107, p < 0.05). In conclusion, perceptions of Halal eating premises are varying among students and factors influencing their choice of Halal eating premises had been identified.