Malaysia – The Selangor branch of the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) has seized 1.12 million packets of various brands of instant noodles from a factory, on suspicion that the products have been using a halal logo that is not officially certified by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), according to a report by Bernama.
In Malaysia, the halal logo on products is used to identify those food that can be consumed by Muslims, hence, those aligned to the directions of their religion.
The Ministry’s director Muhamad Zikri Azan Abdullah said the raid which happened on the premises of Rawang Integrated Industrial Park was carried out after a month of surveillance.
In the report, the director has been quoted saying, “The company’s halal logo issued by Jakim was canceled on October 28 last year, on the grounds that the company had failed to observe the halal compliance requirements especially pertaining to the cleanliness of the premises.”
The director also shared that during the raid, the company’s representative had informed that an appeal regarding the withdrawal of the halal certificate had been made, but revealed that such was rejected by Jakim as it failed to act on instructions within the stipulated period.
Along with the instant noodles, the ministry also seized other products stamped with the uncertified halal logo including 2.69 million units of instant noodle plastic packaging, 42,000 units of food packaging boxes, and 258 rolls of plastic wraps, estimated to amount a total worth of RM1.49M.
The case is currently being investigated.