HAC assures no pig fat in milk powder imports

• Says test results from accredited Thai laboratory negative 
• Requests official to present credible evidence to investigate further

The Halal Accreditation Council (HAC) yesterday assured the public that their test reports had shown no trace of pig fat in milk power imported to Sri Lanka and said they would further investigate the matter if officials share credible evidence. 

Releasing a statement, the HAC said it wishes to clarify its position regarding the current confusion in the country over the alleged pig fat contamination in milk powder imported from New Zealand. 

This is consequent to an announcement made in Parliament by Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Buddhika Pathirana, it said. 

“To further substantiate HAC’s claim of the absence of ‘pig fat’ and porcine contamination in the disputed milk powder, the organisation has obtained two test reports from the internationally accredited laboratory attached to the prestigious Chulalongkorn University in Thailand.”

HAC is concerned that such allegations made by people of authority may have adverse impact on HAC’s Halal Certification that facilitates exports of over 65% of food and beverages from Sri Lanka, accounting to over $ 1 billion in export revenue.

“HAC humbly requests all concerned parties who allege the presence of pig fat in milk powder to share with the organisation any credible evidence or information available in their possession to prove the existence of ‘pig fat’ or porcine contamination in milk powder. Such information will enable the entity to investigate further,” the statement added.