Food testing laboratory Genetic ID Europe has warned producers of Halal products to be “vigilant” about increased porcine (pork) contamination derived from packaging.
The Augsburg, Germany-based laboratory reports that in recent tests it has found positive traces of pork in several samples of Halal products.
Despite the foodstuffs having been manufactured to Halal standards, the company traced the contamination source to the stearates or lubricants used in paper production equipment.
Stearates can contain animal derivatives including pork and under Halal law, pork is Haraam (forbidden).
Bill Thompson, Genetic ID CEO, said: “Genetic ID undertakes thousands of PCR tests for Haraam elements such as pork and alcohol in halal foods.
“The issue of cross contamination from packaging can be an issue because the stearate can effectively ‘leak’ into the food.
“Some certification standards insist on packaging testing for porcine while others do not, so I would urge Halal food manufacturers to be vigilant about the issue and insist on rigorous testing and certification that also covers packaging.”
Founded in 2001, Genetic ID Europe is a subsidiary of Iowa, USA-based Genetic ID, Inc.
