MANILA, Philippines – The Islamic Da’wah Council of the Philippines, Inc. (IDCP), one of the country’s recognized Halal certifying bodies, has officially withdrawn the Halal certificates of four canned beef loaf products after determining that they no longer meet the organization’s Halal certification requirements.
In a public advisory issued by IDCP Halal, the organization announced that, effective July 27, 2026, it has revoked the Halal certification for the following products:
- Argentina Beef Loaf – Regular
- Argentina Beef Loaf – Hot and Spicy
- 555 Beef Loaf
- Lucky 7 Beef Loaf
According to the advisory, the products no longer comply with IDCP-Halal requirements, prompting the withdrawal of their certification.
“As such, IDCP can no longer guarantee that these products are Halal, in accordance with the standard of IDCP,” the organization said in its statement.
The advisory did not elaborate on the specific reasons behind the products’ failure to meet the organization’s Halal standards but emphasized that consumers, particularly the Muslim community, should be aware that the products can no longer be considered certified Halal under IDCP’s standards.
Related to Brunei’s Porcine DNA Detection
The IDCP announcement comes amid developments in Brunei Darussalam, where authorities recently ordered the immediate segregation and removal of Argentina brand food products manufactured by Century Pacific Food, Inc. after laboratory tests detected porcine (pig) DNA in one of the company’s products.
According to a report by The Star Malaysia, Brunei’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, through its Department of Syariah Affairs, initiated the action after receiving a complaint regarding the Halal status of Argentina-branded food products being sold in the country.
Laboratory analysis conducted by the Department of Scientific Services under Brunei’s Ministry of Health confirmed that one of three tested products contained porcine DNA.
The affected product identified by Brunei authorities was Argentina Beef Loaf, specifically those bearing batch numbers:
- 6BL78
- 6BL79
- AB107
- LBL51
Following the laboratory findings, the Halal certificate previously issued for the product by the Islamic Da’wah Council of the Philippines was revoked.
Brunei Orders Immediate Product Segregation
To protect Muslim consumers, Brunei authorities instructed all supermarkets, grocery stores, and retail establishments nationwide to immediately separate Argentina Beef Loaf and other Argentina-branded food products manufactured by Century Pacific Food, Inc. from Halal-certified products.
The Department of Syariah Affairs further directed retailers, importers, distributors, suppliers, and business operators to ensure strict segregation of non-Halal products throughout the entire supply chain—from importation and transportation to storage, handling, and retail display.
Officials said the measures are intended to prevent cross-contamination and eliminate confusion that could lead Muslim consumers to unknowingly purchase or consume products that may not meet Halal requirements.
The ministry also encouraged members of the public to report establishments that improperly display or sell non-Halal products, expressing appreciation for citizens who brought the issue to the attention of authorities.
Importance of Halal Certification
Halal certification assures Muslim consumers that food products have been prepared, processed, and handled in accordance with Islamic dietary laws. Once a Halal certificate is withdrawn, the certifying body no longer guarantees that the product complies with those religious standards.
With the revocation now in effect, Muslim consumers in the Philippines and abroad who rely on IDCP certification are advised to exercise caution when purchasing the affected products and to monitor future advisories from both regulatory authorities and recognized Halal certification bodies.
As of this writing, neither Century Pacific Food, Inc. nor the manufacturers of the affected products have released a public statement regarding the IDCP’s withdrawal of the Halal certificates or Brunei’s laboratory findings. Further updates are expected as additional information becomes available.