TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJH) of the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) together with the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) announced that nine processed food products contain pork elements (porcine). The finding is based on laboratory test results for DNA and/or specific porcine peptides.
In response to this finding, the head of BPJPH, Ahmad Haikal Hasan, urged all relevant parties to comply with all applicable regulations. According to him, halal certification is not just a mere administrative obligation, but a manifestation of compliance with the law. "Halal certification is a representation of the halal standard outlined in the halal product assurance system that must be consistently implemented in the halal product process, ensuring its preservation over time," Ahmad said in his statement in Jakarta, Monday, April 21, 2025. So, how can one check the halal status of food products?
1. Checking Food for Pork Content from the Halal Logo
The Indonesian halal logo issued by BPJPH and listed on the packaging is the easiest early detection method to determine whether food contains pork or not. The use of the Indonesian halal logo began on March 1, 2022, as regulated in the Decision of the Head of BPJPH Number 40 of 2022 concerning the Determination of the Halal Label.
The use of the Indonesian halal logo is gradually replacing the halal logo of the Indonesian Ulema Council's Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics Assessment Institute (LPPOM MUI). The MUI halal logo can still be used for up to five years from the date of the Government Regulation (PP) Number 39 of 2021 concerning the Implementation of Halal Product Assurance, which was promulgated in February 2021.
2. Checking Food for Pork Content from Special Marks
Based on BPOM Regulation Number 31 of 2018 concerning Processed Food Labels, food containing pork ingredients must include a special mark in the form of the words "MENGANDUNG BABI" (CONTAINS PORK). This special mark is accompanied by a picture of a pig in a red rectangle on a white background.
In addition, food that is processed in conjunction with or uses facilities together with pork-derived ingredients must also include a special mark on its packaging. The special mark also includes a picture of a pig in a red rectangle on a white background.
"In the case of processed food through the manufacturing process that is in conjunction and/or uses facilities together with pork-derived ingredients, the label must include the statement 'Processed in conjunction and/or uses facilities together with pork-derived ingredients' and a picture of a pig," reads Article 41 paragraph (1) of BPOM Regulation Number 31 of 2018.
3. Checking Food for Pork Content from Food Ingredients
Still referring to BPOM Regulation Number 31 of 2018, food ingredients derived from pork can include collagen, enzymes, glycerin, fat, colostrum, embryo extract, blood extract, hydrolyzed haemoglobin, keratin, hair/hoof extract, placenta, protein, thymus extract, thymus hydrolysate, stomach extract, lard (shortening), oil, emulsifiers, thickeners, stabilizers, l-cysteine, monoglycerides, diglycerides, or triglycerides.
4. Checking Food for Pork Content from Halal Websites
The public can also check the halal status of food and cosmetics through the official BPJPH website at bpjph.halal.go.id. In addition, the certification examination of MUI halal can be conducted via halalmui.org/searchproduct/.
5. Checking Food for Pork Content from the Composition
To check for pork in food and beverages, the public should carefully observe the listed composition on the packaging. If a product uses ingredients suspected to be derived from pork, such as gelatin, it is advisable to first confirm with the manufacturer.
6. Checking Food for Pork Content from Other Terms
According to the MUI website, the public can also recognize pork content in food or beverages by paying attention to the composition. Some terms for pork in product compositions include pig, pork, swine, B2, hog, boar, lard, kakuni, bacon, ham, sow, nibuta, sow milk, porcine, bak, khinzir, char syu, cu nyuk, rou, yakibuta, dwaeji, tonkatsu, tonkotsu, and nuraniku.
7. Checking Food for Pork Content through Test Kits
The most accurate way to check for pork content in food products is by using a pork detection kit. This testing tool can easily be found on e-commerce platforms and can be used independently at home, but it is relatively expensive, costing millions of Indonesian Rupiah.
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