By: Aida Aziz
IPOH: A food processing factory specialising in chilli grinding in the Silibin Industrial Area was raided on Tuesday over suspicions of using an unauthorised halal logo.
Director of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDN) Perak, Datuk Kamalludin Ismail, stated that the raid was conducted by KPDN enforcement officers in collaboration with the Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH).
He explained that the operation, initiated at 10:30 am, was carried out based on public information and investigations by KPDN Perak regarding the food processing activities at the premises.
“A local man, around 60 years old and presumed to be the proprietor of the establishment, failed to present any halal certification acknowledged by the authorities upon request from KPDN.
“As a result, immediate action was taken, and all suspected chilli pastes bearing the unauthorised halal logo, packaging materials displaying the halal logo, packaging goods, and other documents were seized for further investigation under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011.
“The total value of the confiscated items is estimated at RM43,185.80,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
Kamalludin highlighted that the case is being investigated for violating Subsection 4(1) of the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011 under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011, constituting an offence under Subsection 8(a).
If found guilty, individuals may face a fine not exceeding RM100,000 or imprisonment not exceeding three years or both, while companies or corporate bodies may face a fine not exceeding RM250,000.
Additionally, he mentioned that the premises received a closure order from the MOH due to the factory’s failure to meet the prescribed hygiene standards.
