Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry Director Datuk Asman stated that they launched a surprise inspection last Friday at the factory in Sunway Damansara, Petaling Jaya, following reports of halal label usage on ham sandwiches.
He announced in a statement today that they had conducted the surprise inspection at 1 PM that day in cooperation with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM).
He said the action was taken following a report received by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department and after the issue spread on social media, investigating the factory supplying sandwiches with halal certification labels sold at supermarkets around Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
“According to preliminary information, the operators are the factory producing and supplying sandwiches, and they are suspected of using expired Malaysian Islamic Development Department halal labels on the sandwiches.”
“After further investigation, it was found that the involved operators did not obtain halal certification from the Malaysian Islamic Development Department, and the labels on the sandwiches came from another company which had ceased operations and sold it to the implicated company.”
He continued by saying that the halal certification expired on October 15, 2023.
“Following the surprise inspection, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living seized several types of sandwiches, a computer, printer, and several related business documents.”
“An investigation has been launched for violating Section 4(1) of the Trade Descriptions Act 2011 (Act 730) and Section 8(a) of the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of 'Halal') Order.”
Asman warned all involved parties to comply with existing laws to ensure the products and services provided meet halal standards, to avoid legal action.
“Such a mistake is very serious and may cause concern among consumers, especially Muslim consumers.”
“Furthermore, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living has sent the sandwich samples to the chemistry department to verify the actual ingredients of the sandwiches.”
Regarding the operators ceasing operations at Ma Da, he said it was at the discretion of the operators themselves and unrelated to them.