By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Sept 15: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) has advised Muslim consumers in particular to exercise caution when purchasing products online by checking the ingredients label to ensure they are genuinely halal.
Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi said this in responding to a news report by Astro Awani regarding a Twitter post of a soft candy with jam product containing pork gelatin but carries a halal logo by the Halal Food Council International Malaysia and Asia Region on its packaging that has caused an uproar on social media.
“Yes, KPDNHEP enforcement will act on the issue as Jakim has issued a statement (that the halal logo used is not recognised).
“For consumers, they should be extra careful as I was made to understand that the products are not sold through retail shops but online. So it is important to check first and if the products contain ingredients that are not halal, don’t buy them,” he said in a recording shared in the KPDNHEP Sarawak and Media WhatsApp group.
Nanta was met after launching the opening of a new branch of Lulu Hypermarket and Departmental Store at Setia Ecohill Mall in Semenyih, Selangor today.
In a statement yesterday, the Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim) has declared that the halal logo imprinted in the packaging of the soft candy with jam product was not recognised by the Islamic authority in Malaysia.
As such, Jakim warned that the use of the halal logo is a violation of the Trade Information Act 2021 and subject to action in accordance with the law and regulations in Malaysia.
Jakim also urged Muslim consumers to not buy the product and to always check product labels before making any purchases and transactions.
Consumers who encounter any such problem are encouraged to report and channel information to Jakim by emailing to pr_halal@islam.gov.my or to KPDNHEP through various channels including email at e-aduan@kpdnhep.gov.my or http://e-aduan.kpdnhep.gov.my/. — DayakDaily
