Another Breakthrough For Malaysia - The World's First Halal CSI Unit!
What would Horatio say about this?
By Mei Mei Chu — 11 Nov 2014, 12:46 PM — Updated about 10 years ago
Malaysia has developed the world's first Halal CSI unit! But it's not the kind of Crime Scene Investigation you are thinking about, it's Contamination Scene Investigation.
Nor Amin, who has wide experience in halal lab analysis, drafted the idea for the unit four years ago.
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The Halal CSI unit would be tasked to investigate whether a product has been contaminated by non-halal elements by sabotage, formulation mistake, or if the product is innocent
TPM Biotech Manager Nor Amin Mohd Noor said determining whether the contamination was by sabotage, a formulation mistake or during post-production could help vindicate the companies involved, if they were innocent.
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If evidence of foul play was present, the unit would investigate the source of the sample, its sender and those who handled the sample for testing. Investigating the formulation process entails checking the existence of a halal community within the company, as it would ensure that every item or ingredient is screened and monitored for halalness before entering production. The absence of a halal community would require experts in the formulation field to conduct detailed investigation on every ingredient used.
For example in the case of the Cadbury chocolate contamination, the Halal CSI unit could help verify the existence of porcine DNA and trace the source of contamination
The most notable incident in the year regarding the halal status of a product is that of certain Cadbury chocolates sold in Malaysia. In the analysis by the Health Ministry on chocolate samples by Cadbury Confectionery (M) Sdn Bhd, it was revealed that there was porcine DNA in the samples of Cadbury Milk Chocolate and Cadbury Milk Chocolate with Hazelnut.
However, the results were contested through another analysis by the Department of Chemistry, a laboratory recognised by the Islamic Development Department (Jakim). It verified that there was no porcine DNA in both products. The differing results have raised doubts in Jakim’s credibility as well as that of the company involved.
This is where having a Halal CSI unit investigate the case would be useful. Not only could it help verify the existence of porcine DNA, it could also trace the source of the contamination.
If the CSI reports find a company guilty, the company will be dealt with accordingly. Then, Muslims can rest easier knowing that a thorough investigation had been conducted.
"However, if the CSI reports found them guilty, they will be dealt with accordingly. Muslims can also rest easier knowing that a thorough investigation had been conducted on the product and companies involved", he told Bernama.
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But it's not an easy feat
Deemed as the most difficult task for the halal CSI unit, tracing the source of confirmation may require searching outside the factory, starting with the methods of transportation of the products. “This is similar to investigating homicide cases. After forensics discover a body, they would have to conduct detailed investigation while considering several possibilities,” TPM Biotech manager explained.
“Everything has to be taken into account. Who were the driver and owner, whether the lorry has been used to transport non-halal products with porcine DNA, and whether it was properly cleaned afterwards.” “It goes down to the smallest details,” he said. The investigations may also include checking the packaging and storage process of the product.
Developed by Technology Park Malaysia (TPM), TPM halal science laboratories offer five types of analysis including DNA testing and alcohol content testing
TPM has a halal science laboratory capable of running five types of analysis namely DNA testing, alcohol content testing, polypeptide tests for gelatine-based products and testing for triglycerides for emulsifiers. It also runs analyses on fatty acids methyl esters for products based on oils and fat, in addition to offering a rapid test kit for canned and animal food products. However, there are currently only eight specialists working at the Halal Science Laboratory.
He said last year's RM6 million allocation was fully utilised to develop the laboratory.
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TPM Biotech Manager Nor Amin says the Halal CSI is a grand plan that requires the involvement of many parties
"CSI Halal is a grand plan that requires the involvement of many parties. TPM has worked out the concept but we need the expertise of others at every point of investigation to make it happen. "We have received positive feedback from certain parties who have stated their willingness to participate", said Mohd Nor Amin, who expects the Halal CSI unit to be fully operational in five years’ time.
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Mohd Nor Amin said the laboratory could not operate on its own and needed the help and expertise of other institutions, particularly those in transportation, formulation and policy. There was also a need for a standard operating procedure for every stage of investigation, he said. He said the services offered now were basic and limited.
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China and Korea have even invited TPM to help develop a Halal Technology Park and Halal Science Laboratory in the respective countries
As the demand for halal products increased in several countries, TPM's halal services have been extended to Korea, Brunei and China. “China has invited us to develop its Halal Technology Park,” Zulkifli Fitri Ismail, general manager of TPM Business Development and Corporate Services, said. “Korea, meanwhile, has asked our expertise in helping them set up a Halal Science Laboratory.”
What's next for CSI Halal? It seems that TPM is developing a new technology to detect whether halal meat sold in the market are slaughtered according to Islamic rites.
“We are currently developing a technology to detect whether or not the meat sold in the markets that are claimed to be halal are slaughtered according to Islamic rites,” he said