The issue of halal and haram (permissible and forbidden, according to Islamic law) remains sensitive in this country. The case of Ajinomoto serves as evidence. The food flavoring, after being retested by the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) to determine the truth of its halal label, was declared haram and must be withdrawn from circulation starting early this January. The Institute of Food, Drug and Cosmetic Studies of MUI discovered that a porcin