July 5, 2010
Fake halal certificates suspected in US beef to Indonesia
The Indonesia Ulema Council (MUI) suspected that beef imported from the US and Canada may have used fake halal (lawful based on Islamic law) certificates.
The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Research Institute at MUI (LPPOM MUI) found the alleged copying of halal certificates for beef imported from the US and Canada.
Based on the MUI report letter to the Ministry of Agriculture, the LPPOM MUI found fake halal certificate on behalf of a company with PT SLP initial.
The company is alleged of importing two to three containers of cow meat or beef from the US by forging the halal certificate issued by Omaha, a halal certification agency acknowledged by the MUI, vice chairperson of the House's Commission IV Firman Subagyo said.
The LPPOM MUI had cross-checked the halal agency and found a wide gap between the number of halal certificates officially issued and the number of certificates circulated.
Chairperson of the Indonesian Cow and Buffalo Farmers Association (PPSKI) Teguh Boediyana said such a case had to be investigated soon to prevent market distortion and volatile meat prices.
