BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN:The Ministry of Religious Affairs, through the Department of Syariah Affairs, has instructed retailers and business premises nationwide to immediately segregate Argentina brand food products manufactured by Century Pacific Food, Inc.
The directive was issued following the detection of porcine DNA in one of its products after the Halal Food Control Division received a complaint regarding the halal status of Argentina brand food products sold in Brunei Darussalam.
According to the ministry, laboratory analysis conducted by the Department of Scientific Services under the Ministry of Health confirmed that one of the three products tested contained porcine DNA.
The affected product is Argentina Beef Loaf, bearing batch numbers 6BL78, 6BL79, AB107 and LBL51.
Following the findings, the halal certificate issued for the product by the Halal Islamic Dakwah Council of the Philippines was revoked.
To safeguard the interests of the Muslim community, the Department of Syariah Affairs has instructed all supermarkets, grocery stores and other business premises selling Argentina Beef Loaf and all Argentina brand food products manufactured by Century Pacific Food to immediately separate the products and place them in areas that are not openly accessible to the public.
The ministry also reminded owners, managers, operators, traders, importers, suppliers and distributors to exercise greater vigilance in handling non-halal products at every stage of the supply chain, including importation, storage, transportation, internal handling and retail display.
These measures are intended to ensure that non-halal products are completely segregated from halal products to prevent cross-contamination and avoid confusion among consumers, particularly members of the Muslim community, from inadvertently purchasing or consuming non-halal food, beverages and consumer goods.
The ministry also expressed its appreciation to members of the public for providing information regarding the matter.
Members of the public who wish to lodge complaints or share information regarding the open sale of non-halal products at business premises may contact the Halal Food Control Division, Department of Syariah Affairs, via its hotline or visit its district offices. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
