IPOH: A total of 3,020 units of food products were seized during a raid on a processing factory producing laksa and kuey teow in Sungai Siput yesterday, after it was found to be using a fake halal logo.
Perak Domestic Trade and Living Costs director Datuk Kamalludin Ismail said that inspections revealed the business owner failed to present a valid Malaysian Halal Certification, despite the presence of a halal logo on the packaging of the factory's final products.
He said that the joint operation also involved enforcement officers from the KPDN Kuala Kangsar branch, the Kuala Kangsar District Health Office, the Perak Islamic Religious Department and the Kuala Kangsar Municipal Council.
"Through the inspection conducted, the factory was found to be producing food products such as laksa and kuey teow.
"There was a halal logo on the packaging of the laksa and kuey teow products, which is believed to be intended for distribution and sale in Perak and Penang.
"However, the business owner failed to present a valid Malaysian Halal Certification, and accordingly, legal action was taken under the Trade Descriptions Act (Certification and Halal Labeling) 2011 for suspected use of the halal logo without permission," he said in a statement today.
Kamalludin said that all finished and packaged laksa and kuey teow products were seized, along with three rolls of plastic containers bearing the invalid halal logo intended for commercial use, as well as related documents.
"The total value of the seized goods is estimated at RM5,828.50," he said, adding that the case is being investigated under Paragraph 8 of the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011.
He also said that, in addition to the halal labeling violations, the operation uncovered two offences by the factory under the Weights and Measures Act 1972, resulting in a fine of RM1,000.