Turni Rusli Syamsudin, director of veterinary public health at the ministry, said that beef products from two slaughter houses, one processing unit, and one storage facility in the U.S. have met health, security and Islamic halal standards.

"Everything is fine, we will issue the official permit as soon as possible," Syamsudin told Reuters.

Indonesia re-imposed a temporary import ban on U.S. beef and beef products in June 2005, following the discovery of a new case of mad cow disease in the U.S.

In May 2007, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) put U.S under "controlled risk" status for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease.

Countries which want to export beef products to Indonesia, the world most populous Muslim nation, must pass the Islamic halal standard for food consumption.

Source: Ninemsn