Getting To Know Porcine, Pig Elements From Products Withdrawn By BPJPH And BPOM

Illustration of pigs (Pexels/Mali Maeder)

JAKARTA - The Halal Product Guarantee Administration Agency (BPJPH) in collaboration with the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) is circulating food, related to claims of halal products. Based on the results of supervision, it was found that 9 processed food products contained pork or porcine elements, on Monday, April 21, 2025.

These findings are evidenced through laboratory testing for DNA test parameters and/or peptides specific to pucine. Of the 9 products, there are 7 products that have been certified halal, and 2 products that are not certified halal.

Quoted from Genetics Science, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, Pucine is a scientific term that refers to everything that comes from pigs. Starting from tissue, cells, and genetic elements of pigs.

In the world of biomedicals, porcine is widely used as a test animal model because of its similarity to humans. Porcine or pig element is also often used in xenotransplantation and drug development.

In food, the pig element detection method (porcine detection) is important in the halal certification process. This method aims to ensure that products, both food, cosmetics, and medicines are free from contamination of pork, ranging from fat, oil, or gelatin.

Pucine testing is widely applied in the food industry, where the risk of counterfeiting or mixing pork-based materials is quite common. One of the commonly used Plocine detection methods is Real Time PCR (qPCR).

This method relies on technology that works to reproduce the target's DNA using enzymes. This makes the DNA footprint of pigs in a product detectable even in very small amounts.

Meanwhile, in the halal certificate product in which the PPOM and BPJPH found the PHOM and BPJPH were given strict sanctions, namely withdrawal from circulation. Products that are not halal are reiterated to be labeled as not halal in their marketing.