Pork-contaminated meatballs found in E. Kalimantan

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Following the discovery of pork in beef meatballs (locally known as bakso) in Jakarta, which sparked concerns among Jakartan Muslims – whose religion forbids them from consuming pork – similar findings have been discovered in East Kalimantan, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) says, Jakarta Post reported.

East Kalimantan MUI chairman Hamri Has said on Monday that joint inspections conducted by the animal husbandry agency and his institution found that seven out of 50 bakso vendors operating in the province had sold pork-contaminated bakso since testing began in October.

“The government should immediately respond to the findings,” Hamri said, adding that one of the vendors allegedly selling pork-contaminated bakso operated near an elementary school in the provincial capital of Samarinda.

The discovery of such meatballs in Jakarta has led authorities to conduct more tests across the capital.

The MUI is authorized to set halal standards and to grant halal certificates to food producers after products have passed requisite tests. Most Muslims in the country make purchasing decisions based on the halal labeling. However, most street vendors do not undergo halal certification and are hardly screened by authorities.