Tatarstan To Open Halal Laboratory for Certification, Quality Assurance

The Muslim Spiritual Board of Tatarstan is actively addressing concerns related to the authenticity of halal products, particularly in light of recent controversies surrounding the detection of pig DNA in food items labeled as ‘Halal’ within the Russian food industry. This alarming revelation has prompted a vigorous response from the Halal Standard Committee under the Muslim Spiritual Board of Tatarstan, which is in the process of establishing a dedicated Halal laboratory in line with religious requirements.

The issue surfaced when pig DNA was identified in sausages labeled as ‘Halal’ from three different manufacturers operating in Bashkiria, Russia. This disclosure, initially reported by the Office of Rospotrebnadzor in the Republic of Bashkortostan, revealed that the products from Dary Urala Agricultural Processing Consumer Cooperative, Chelny-myaso LLC, and Tsaritsyno JSC were tainted with pork traces. This incident was categorized as “falsification of finished meat products,” leading to warnings issued to the manufacturers.

However, the Halal Standard Committee of the Republic of Tatarstan, responsible for granting Halal certification to the Chelny-myaso enterprise, reported contrasting findings. They highlighted that their laboratory tests, conducted in collaboration with the Tatarstan branch of the VNIIZH Federal State Budgetary Institution under the Rosselkhoznadzor, had revealed no traces of pig DNA in the samples of Chelny-myaso’s halal products.

This discrepancy raises critical questions about the sampling process and the standards for testing halal products. Currently, there is no unified GOST (Russian national standard) for such testing, and different laboratories employ various qualitative and quantitative methods to detect pig DNA. The qualitative method is highly sensitive, and capable of identifying even a single molecule of pig DNA, while the quantitative method may yield different results. Given the complexities of halal product production, cross-contamination can occur at various stages, from manufacturing to packaging and even during laboratory testing.

Realnoe Vremya asked for comments on the situation from the Department of Rospotrebnadzor for the Republic of Belarus and the Duma of the Republic of Tatarstan. The Bashkortostan department has not yet responded to the publication’s request, and the Tatarstan one explained the situation as follows:

“The studies conducted in our republic did not reveal pig DNA, but in Bashkortostan — they were. What does it mean? This means that contamination, mixing of molecules, occurred somewhere at the sampling stage or during the inspection itself,” Chairman of the Halal Standard Committee at the MSB of the Republic of Tatarstan Abbyas Shlyaposhnikov (Kadirov) believes.

To address these issues, the Muslim Spiritual Board of Tatarstan is exploring the creation of the first halal laboratory in Russia, adhering to religious principles to prevent contamination risks. Their goal is to conduct sampling at production facilities rather than retail outlets, reduce cross-contamination risks, and strengthen packaging standards for halal products. Additionally, they are advocating for a standardized GOST for halal product testing, which will define verification standards for laboratories, ensuring uniformity and credibility.

The committee is also working on a GOST for the accreditation bodies responsible for certifying halal products, aiming to create a comprehensive and interconnected system to maintain the integrity of halal products in Russia. These efforts underscore the importance of preserving the sanctity of halal products and ensuring that they align with religious requirements and quality standards. By addressing these challenges, we aim to enhance the overall quality and integrity of halal products in Russia, providing consumers with products that meet their religious and quality expectations.