KUALA LUMPUR: A murukku processing factory in Taman Pengkalan Maju in Taiping, Perak was raided yesterday for using a halal certificate, which expired seven years ago.
Perak Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry director Datuk Kamalludin Ismail said it seized more than 1,500 products valued at more than RM8,100 during the 11am raid.
"The enforcement team discovered a variety of snack products labelled with the fraudulent halal logo intended for commercial distribution.
"Upon further inspection, it was found that the factory's halal certification expired on May 17, 2017," he said in a statement today.
The unauthorised halal logo was found on six different types of murukku products, which were being sold in the northern region in Peninsular Malaysia.
"Following this discovery, the ministry seized all 1,580 units of the food products involved and the total value of the seized goods is RM 8,128.40."
Kamalludian urged all traders to comply with the legal requirements for halal certification to maintain consumer trust and uphold the integrity of halal products in the market.
He emphasised using unauthorised halal certification and markings on food products or goods is a violation under the The Trade Descriptions (Definition of Halal) Order 2011.
This offence involves falsely certifying any food, goods, or services as halal. Any corporation which violates this law could be fined up to RM500,000 for the first offence, or fined up to RM1 million for any subsequent offence.
Non-corporate offenders could be fined up to RM250,000 or face imprisonment for up to three years, or both, with subsequent offences carrying fines up to RM500,000 or imprisonment up to five years, or both.