Japanese arrested in Indonesian MSG scandal

Police in Indonesia have arrested two Japanese executives from a company whose use of pork by-products in a food seasoning caused a national scandal.

The president and vice-president of PT Ajinomoto Indonesia Mitsuo Harakawa and Yasuhi Oda were arrested on Sunday for violating consumer protection laws.

If convicted, they could face up to five years in jail.

Six other company officials have been arrested over the weekend.

The company had labelled a flavour-enhancer, monosodium glutamate, as suitable for Muslim consumption, but it later admitted the product contained enzymes grown on pork fat.

The company has issued a public apology.

It has been given three weeks to withdraw the product. Indonesia has the world's biggest Muslim population, and consumption of pigmeat is forbidden under the Islamic faith.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service