MUI reviews 'halal' label for taste enhancer Ajinomoto

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) is reviewing the halal certificate -- which states that food or beverages are permitted to be eaten by Muslims -- of taste enhancer Ajinomoto as it allegedly uses pig enzymes in its production process.

Despite MUI assertions, the findings however remain inconclusive as government officials called on the public not to jump to conclusions.

Council chairman Amidhan said proof had been obtained by its Food and Drug Control Body (LPOM MUI) in a recent analysis conducted as a prerequisite to renewing the halal certificate.

Muslims are forbidden to eat pork and any by-product coming from pigs.

"Every two years, we re-audit the halal certificate. And since October, PT Ajinomoto apparently changed one of its materials, from polypeptone to bactosoytone," Amidhan told The Jakarta Post in a telephone interview on Friday.

Both are used as a medium to cultivate bacteria which produces chemical compounds needed in the production of the taste enhancer.

The first one is extracted from beef, the later is taken from pigs.

According to Amidhan the reason for the change was that bactosoytone produces more bacteria and thus produces more compounds.

"Some experts say that it's not a problem since the (pig) enzyme is only used as a medium to grow the bacteria, sort of soil for plants. And they said that it (the pig enzyme) is not included in the bacteria when you take it".

"But who can guarantee that? It's like growing plants on top of filth," he remarked.

Amidhan said while there was no conclusive evidence, the case is classified as dubious.

And in Islam, dubious or doubtful things are better forbidden, he claimed.

MUI in a meeting with PT Ajinomoto Indonesia executives has demanded a withdrawal of the products.

"Some of our members even suggested we annul the (halal) certificate. But since Nov. 23, Ajinomoto has changed its medium into a plant derivative, and has promised to withdraw its products from the market," Amidhan said.

Amidhan said he had been informed that some 10,000 tons of Ajinomoto products have been withdrawn from store shelves.

He added that MUI has suggested that it be exported to non- Islamic countries.

Amidhan said the company should also announce the product codes labeled on the seasoning packages to the public "as not all the products may have been removed from the market."

PT Ajinomoto Indonesia officials could not be contacted by the Post for comment on Friday.

Separately the Ministry of Health's Director General for Food and Drug Control Sampurno urged the public not panic or jump to conclusions.

"It still needs to be examined further with biochemical analysis. This is such a sensitive issue, we shouldn't jump to conclusions and condemn the product," he told the Post.

According to Sampurno, while his office handles food safety, the halal certification is indeed under MUI's authority.

But while it is under MUI's authority, Sampurno said that his office should be informed about this case.

"We haven't received an official announcement about this case yet," Sampurno said.

The certification is based on an agreement between the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Religious Affairs and MUI's chairman on June 21, 1996, about halal certification or labeling.

"Food and beverage products are permitted to be eaten by Muslims or halal if there is a statement from MUI's guidance commission," Sampurno said.

The procedure to get the certificate, he added, is to first submit a proposal to his office.

After that the LPOM MUI will conduct an audit and analysis before the MUI commission issues the permit and certificate.

"The final step is labeling which is handled by our office," Sampurno said.

Sampurno said that a meeting between his office, MUI, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, LPOM MUI and also PT Ajinomoto will be conducted for clarification.

"We want to clear things up. The meeting will be conducted on Tuesday afternoon," he said.

Sampurno suggests people wait for the clarification.

"Until then, for Muslims, perhaps they shouldn't consume the product until the case is cleared. Wait until Tuesday," he said. (hdn)