The Laboratory of the Institute for the Study of Food, Medicines, and Cosmetics of the Indonesian Ulema Council (LPPOM MUI) received a test for the presence of pork contamination in meat and processed meat products. This is done using specific protein tests of pigs. If in the test the product shows a positive result, then the next test is carried out with real time PCR.
Test the presence of pork contamination in meat products that are being certified using two stages of testing. First, testing through a pork detection kit (PDK). If the test result is negative, then the product passes the pork contamination test.
When the test at this stage is positive, then a further test is carried out with real time PCR. Its purpose is to detect the presence of pig DNA in the tested product. At the first stage that is detected is the presence of pig protein. The second stage tested is the presence of pig DNA. Obviously the results of the second one are more accurate.
"In testing with PDK, there is a possibility of false positive (actually negative but the reading tool is positive) so it needs further testing with real time PCR. Because, the wrong results will create a new burden on the certified company, so caution is needed," explained Advisor of the Directorate of Communication of LPPOM MUI, Ir. Hendra Utama, M.M.
For a positive test result containing porcine materials, there are three follow-ups that the company must do. First, the company must identify the root cause of the presence of pig contamination from where so that similar events do not happen again in the future. Secondly, the company must carry out heavy unclean laundering according to syar'i against facilities that have been in contact with such illicit and unclean heavy materials.
Third, if the product has already been produced, the company must take action to handle products that do not meet the halal criteria according to the HAS 23000 criteria, namely separating from halal products so as not to contaminate halal products, not packaging with halal logo packaging and not selling them to consumers who need halal products.
If the product is already in the market with halal logo packaging, then the company must withdraw the product from the market. The product can then be destroyed, or used as animal feed or sold to consumers who do not need halal products.
"If the illegitimate product is still in the company's internal warehouse, the problem is somewhat easier to handle. But if it is marketed, it will be a big problem for the company. Because this matter concerns the good name and reputation of the company," explained Hendra.
(Also read: Here are LPPOM MUI Laboratory Services)
It is very expensive to repair the already damaged image of the product and the company in the eyes of consumers. The halal issue is a sensitive issue in Indonesian society. You can imagine the consequences of joining. The above is laboratory tests for processed meat products (including chicken) but does not include seasoning, fats or fatty acids.
Then, for seasoning products that contain animal ingredients such as meat, bones, or skin, pig DNA must be directly tested with real-time PCR. The specificity of the pork detection kit (PDK) test is only able to detect the presence of pork protein contamination in fresh meat products and processed meat products, so for seasoning products, a direct procedure is carried out pig DNA testing. (*)
