On label of food containing pork

On label of food containing pork

From Republika

In response to the demand on Feb. 28 by the Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) to ban all food products containing pork, I would like to inform the public that a regulation on food containing pork has been in effect since 1976 and is stipulated in Health Minister Regulation No. 280/Men. Kes./Per/XI/76 dated Nov. 10, 1976 on the distribution and marking of food containing pork.

This regulation was later followed up by Regulation No. Men.Kes/Per/III/1978 on the labeling and advertising of foods dated March 20, 1978.

These two regulations of the health minister were signed by the late Prof. GM Siwabessy as the then health minister. I was then the director general of food and drug control.

Sub-article (2) of Article 8 of this regulation stipulates that if any of the composition elements of a particular food contains pork, the food must comply with the stipulation in the regulation of the health minister on the distribution and marking of food containing pork. Article 2 of this regulation requires imported food and food made domestically to mention on its container or wrapper a warning in the form of the picture of a swine and an inscription reading "Containing Pork" in capital letters in red of the minimum size of Universe Medium Corps 12 inside a red rectangle.

Unless this type of food complies with the requirements stipulated in Articles 2 and 3 of this regulation, it will be prohibited from distribution in Indonesia.

SUNARTO PRAWIROSUJANTO Jakarta