March 18, 2013

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority said that it would file a police complaint against a food company following the discovery of large amounts of pork in its halal-labelled products.

The agency found up to 30% pork in halal-labelled kebab meat sold by Norwegian group, Kurass. The contaminated meat was then sold throughout Norway.

Catherine Signe Svinland, an adviser at the food safety watchdog has said:  "We will file a complaint against the producer."

"In a halal product, there should be no pork at all and when we find such quantities…we don't believe it's an accident but it is in fact fraud."

Norwegian media has reported that the Kurass group has denied any unlawful activity.

Speaking to news agency NTB, marketing manager Kenneth Kurass said: "We buy huge quantities of halal meat and we can show invoices corresponding to what we bought and sold."

"Pork ending up in these products is simply due to routines not being followed."

The Islamic halal - meaning "lawful" in Arabic - method of killing an animal requires that its throat be slit and all its blood to be drained. According to Islamic law, Muslims must ensure that all foods are halal.

Last week, halal chicken sausages served to pupils in several London schools and nurseries were also revealed to contain traces of pork.