Determination of quarantine period in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fed with pig (Sus sp.) offal to assure compliance with halal standards

• Published in: Food chemistry Vol. 135; no. 3; pp. 1268 - 1272
• Main Authors: Wan Norhana, M.N., Dykes, G.A., Padilah, B., Ahmad Hazizi, A.A., Masazurah, A.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal Feed - analysis; Animal Feed - standards; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Catfish; Catfishes - genetics; Catfishes - metabolism; Feed; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Halal; Istihālah; Jallalāh; Malaysia; Meat and meat product industries; Methods of analysis, processing and quality control, regulation, standards; Pig Offal; Quarantine; Refuse Disposal; Seafood - analysis; Seafood - standards; Swine; Malaysia; Istihālah; Catfish; Jallalāh; Quarantine; Halal; Pig Offal; Feed; Farming animal; Offals; Meat product; Clarias gariepinus; Standards; Pig; Vertebrata; Meat animals; Mammalia; Pisces; Artiodactyla; Ungulata
• ISSN: 0308-8146; 1873-7072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.05.083

► The period of quarantine period for catfish fed with pig offal for halal markets was determined. ► The absence of pig DNA in the gastrointestinal tract was used as a marker. ► Maximum istihālah (transformation) time was 36h (stomach), 6h (midgut) and >2h (hindgut). ► In many cases shorter periods of istihālah were observed. ► The minimum quarantine period for catfish fed with fresh pig offal is 1.5days. Pig (Sus sp.) and pig by-products are considered as najasa (impurities) in Islam and forbidden in Muslim consumer products. Animals fed on najasa are categorised as al-jallālah (contaminated animals) which are allowed to be consumed as long as they have been quarantined for a certain period of time. During this quarantine period the animals will have undergone a natural purification process or istihālah. African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) are commonly consumed in Malaysia and may be fed on najasa. This study was carried out to estimate the istihālah period for catfish after feeding with pig offal, based on the absence of pig DNA in catfish gut and to suggest the quarantine period in catfish fed with pig offal. The results indicated that the maximum istihālah period could reach 36h in the stomach, 6h in the midgut and less than 2h in the hindgut although in many cases shorter periods were observed. Based on these results it is estimated that the minimum quarantine period for catfish fed with pig offal is 1.5days.