Fake beef made from pork found in Muslim markets

There has been fake beef being sold in Muslim and halal-friendly markets. This so-called fake beef is made from pork dipped in cattle blood. The Central Islamic Council of Thailand (CICOT), The Halal Science Center from Chulalongkorn University, and the Halal Standard Institute of Thailand reported on 6 July 2020. CICOT received notification that pork was being sold as beef in Muslim markets in Bangkok, Pathumthani Province, Samut Prakan Province, and Chachoengsao Province. 

 

Credit: Thai PBS

 

The Council took action right away and ordered officials to inspect halal markets in these provinces. Samples were collected and sent to the Halal Science Center. Associate Professor Vinai Dalan from the center reported test results confirming that the beef samples were in fact, pork coated in cattle blood. The report confirms not only the suspicion of fake beef but that pork has been sold for some time as beef in many provinces across Thailand. 7 samples were collected from Bang Kapi District, Nong Chok District, 2 samples from Bueng Kum District, and 3 samples from Prawet District. 

 

Credit: Thai PBS

 

The samples were red meat and looked extremely like normal beef, you could not tell that the beef was in fact pork. DNA tests revealed that the meat was pork coated in cattle blood to give it the reddish-brown color when cooked. The council has asked Bangkok and provinces mentioned above to take matters in controlling the spread of fake beef and to also warn members of the Muslim communities to beware and to help warn each other to carefully choose to purchase beef products from trustable sources. This includes products with the Halal logo certified by the Central Islamic Council of Thailand. Members of the community can visit halal.co.th and the halal application to verify products on the market with the logo. 

 

 

FB Caption: CICOT received notification that pork was being sold as beef in Muslim markets in Bangkok, Pathumthani Province, Samut Prakan Province, and Chachoengsao Province. 

 

Source: Sanook, Voice TV, Thai PBS 

 

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