REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) chairman KH Ma'ruf Amin said halal label of worm-infested canned mackerel would be revoked if it harmed consumer's health. However, MUI would wait for Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) decision.
Kiai Ma'ruf explained canned mackerel products circulating in Indonesia have been proven halal. The raw materials and its way of packaging were all halal. There was no problem from the halal aspect. The problem was related to health aspect, he said.
"If the products is considered dangerous, MUI will also revoke the halal certification that has been listed," said Kiai Ma'ruf said at State Palace, Jakarta, on Monday (April 2).
According to Kiai Ma'ruf, MUI was still trying to collect the information related to canned mackerel products, To obtain certification of halal products, a food or drink must be safe and hygienic in accordance with the provisions of BPOM, he said.
"If all the provisions of BPOM are followed then MUI will examine its materials and packaging process before issuing halal certification," he remarked.
Earlier, BPOM in Jakarta has examined some of canned mackerel products. Some of the brands that said contaminated are ABC, Kingfisher, Botan, and Ayam Brand. However, the worm in canned mackerel was a natural occurrence.
At least 27 brands of canned mackarel on the market have been found to be contemned with threadworms. BPOM head, Penny Lukito said sixteen brands were imported, while other 11 were local products.