Selangor Journal
halal

KPDN opens probe paper into bread factory suspected of misusing halal logo

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 13 — The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) has opened a probe paper into a sandwich bread factory in Sunway Damansara, Petaling Jaya, for suspected misuse of the halal logo.

Its enforcement director-general Datuk Azman Adam said in a statement today that the factory is being investigated for suspected violations of Paragraph 4(1) of the Trade Description Act 2011, which is an offense under Paragraph 8(a) of the Trade Description Order (Halal Certification and Marking) 2011.

The investigation paper was opened following a raid on the factory by a Putrajaya KPDN enforcement team with the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) on January 9 after Jakim received a complaint about the use of the halal logo on the factory’s bread products.

“The premises is a factory that produces and supplies sandwich bread products using Jakim halal logos that are suspected to have expired.

“Further checks revealed the premises did not have halal certification from Jakim and the halal logo on the sandwich bread products was given to another company that is no longer operational and which sold its business to the company that was raided.

“The halal certificate was confirmed to have expired on October 15, 2023,” he said, adding that the team confiscated an assortment of sandwich bread, a computer, a printer, and related business documents.

Azman said KPDN would send samples of the sandwich bread to the Chemistry Department to confirm its contents.

“Consumers are advised not to be easily deceived and to be careful in choosing products with valid halal certification.

“Ensure the halal certification is acknowledged by the relevant authorities. Information and complaints regarding halal certification can be obtained at the website,” he added.

Meanwhile, Jakim in a statement via its Facebook page announced that the product in question does not have the Malaysian Halal Certification (SPHM), and the company that manufactures the product is not a holder of the SPHM.

“The company’s deed of printing the Malaysian halal logo on the product label is an offence under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011, specifically the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Halal Marking) Order 2011, and legal action has been taken by KPDN.

“Consumers are advised to always check the halal status of a product through the Malaysia Halal Portal or the Verify Halal app. Ensure the product has been certified halal by an authorised body,” said the statement.

Meanwhile, Brickfields police chief Ku Mashariman Ku Mahmood confirmed receiving a report regarding the sale of a “ham and cheese sandwich” with questionable halal status at a convenience store at a public university.

“We received a police report last Friday made by a student from the institution, and the case has been referred to Jakim and KPDN for further action,” he said when contacted by Bernama.

In Melaka, Umno Youth chief Datuk Muhamad Akmal Saleh urged the division leadership to file a police report over the issue.

“All non-governmental organisations are urged to take similar steps as a protest against the betrayal committed by the establishment, especially after Jakim confirmed that the product does not have an SPHM.

“This is essentially deceiving the Muslim population in Malaysia, and we call on the government and agencies to impose severe action against those who misuse the halal logo,” he said when met by reporters today.

— Bernama

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