Indonesian Muslims Can Consume GMO Foods

Muslims in Indonesia are now free to consume genetically modified organism (GMO) foods. Though there has been no official statement, the highest Indonesian Muslim body authorized to approve and make religious rulings on processed foods distributed within the country, the Ulemas Council (MUI), has implicitly approved the products by not issuing a fatwa (legal advice). Without a fatwa, Muslims are free to eat GMO foods that, in most countries, are still severely restricted due to fear about the unknown side effects. A soybean based dish-Tempe -is the traditional popular food in Indonesia and over ninety percent of soybean consumed in the country is GMO variety imported from the US. However, despite this general lack of concern among religious officials, the Indonesian Consumers Institute (YLKI) is pressuring the government to begin testing and labeling GMO products already commonly imported by Indonesia from the US. – YaleGlobal

Indonesian Muslims Can Consume GMO Foods

Monday, July 7, 2003

JAKARTA (DPA): Indonesia's leading authority on Islamic affairs has given the go-ahead for the consumption of imported genetically modified organism (GMO) foods, one of its members said Monday.

"Despite there being no official ruling on the GMO-based food products, as long as it comes from plantations, such as soya bean or corn, there are no problems," said professor Aisyah Girindra, head of the medicine and food supervision at the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI).

MUI, is the highest Indonesian Moslem body authorized to release religious rulings or labels of halal, allowed by Islamic teaching, on processed food products distributed in the country.

"Unofficially, we have discussed the GMO issue but, until now, there is no official fatwa (legal advice) yet issued on the matter," Girindra told Deutsche Presse-Agentur in a telephone conversation.

Without a fatwa, Indonesian Muslims remain free to consume GMO products, Girindra added.

In many countries, GMO imports are restricted due to fears of unknown side-affects from consuming food products whose natural genetic makeup has been altered by man.

Nearly 88 per cent of Indonesia's 215 million people are Muslims, making it the world's most populous Islamic nation.

While the country's religious leaders appear unconcerned about the GMO issue, the Indonesian Consumers Institute (YLKI) has urged the government to issue regulations requiring all imported processed foods, including those derived from GMO products, undergo health examinations before entering the domestic market.

"Our aim is just to make sure that those imported food products are safe for consumers, and that there is no side-effect for the people," said Iliani, an activist of YLKI.

Iliani said along with activists from several non-governmental organizations (NGOs), YLKI had found a number of GMO-based food products, such as corn flakes, already on the Indonesian domestic market without a health screening process.

Indonesia currently places no import restrictions on GMO foods, most of which come from the United States, nor does it impose labelling requirements on GMO products.

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