Ajinomoto (monosodium glutamate) is very widely used as a flavour enhancer in the preparation of all foods by restaurants, caterers, fast food outlets, and in many houses. It is also added in many of the packed masalas (spices).
It had been discovered in January 2001 in Indonesia by Indonesians Ulemas Council that pork enzymes (bactosoytone) were being used in the production of Ajinomoto.
As the result of these findings three Japanese and four Indonesian officials from PT Ajinomoto Indonesia were arrested by the local police.
In Pakistan it is also known as Chinese salt and nearly all commercial cooks are adding Ajinomoto because they wrongly believe that it enhances the taste and flavour in food.
Apart from the use of Ajinomoto, many roadside cheap restaurants and commercial cooks (bawarchi) use mutton tallow in the preparation of greasy foods. Mutton tallow is imported from various countries for industrial use and it is not Halal. Although it is known as mutton tallow but it is a mixture of fat of various other animals.
I request the authorities concerned to take necessary action in this regard as pork and imported mutton tallow is Haram for Muslims, which is widely being consumed because of ignorance.
The government should make it compulsory for all packed foods and masala manufacturers print their ingredients on the packets.
I also request the readers to kindly educate other Muslims regarding the use of Ajinomoto and imported mutton tallow in the foods prepared by commercial restaurants and caterers.