Watchdog: US should explain probe of halal company Associated Press Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 1:54 p.m., Wednesday, November 28, 2012 IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A national civil rights organization called on U.S. authorities Wednesday to explain their investigation into a leading maker of food for observant Muslims, saying it is troubled by the secrecy surrounding the seizure of the company's bank account and records. Spokesman Ibrahim Hooper said it was unacceptable for the Cedar Rapids-based company to be crippled by the seizure of operating funds without being charged with a crime or formally told what the government is investigating. In court documents, Midamar said information it obtained suggests the government is looking into allegations that it packaged meat as being halal, or prepared in accordance with Islamic rituals, when it was not. Rabbi Sholem Fishbane, of the Chicago Rabbinical Council, which certifies food as kosher, or prepared according to Jewish laws, said the government could bring fraud charges if a company slapped kosher or halal labels on ordinary meat. [...] he said he was following the case.