JAKIM To Impose Fine On Companies Misleading Consumers With Halal Status

Note By The Halal Times: Jakim has taken an important step to fine companies which mislead consumers about their halal status. Please read the full text of the news below.

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 12 — Any corporate body found guilty of trying to mislead consumers with halal status can be fined of up to RM5 million, said Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director-general Datuk Mohamad Nordin Ibrahim.

In a statement today, he said it was based on the Trade Descriptions (Halal Definition) Order 2011.

“If an offense is committed by an individual, the convicted party can be fined of not more than RM1 million or imprisonment not exceeding three years or both upon conviction,” he said.

He said traders and entrepreneurs should be sensitive enough to develop the business by meeting the needs of Muslim and non-Muslim consumers in the country, while the consumer community should choose only the premises that had been certified as halal.

Mohamad Nordin was commenting on Bernama’s report on Jan 7 over the statement by Federal Territory and Selangor Malay Muslim Food Operators’ Association (Permas) president Ayob Abd Majid who suggested Jakim impose a mandatory requirement to restaurant owners and operators to obtain halal certification first before they started their operations.

He also stressed that Malaysia’s Halal Verification Certificate (SPHM) was on a voluntary basis in accordance with the Trade Descriptions Act 2011 and Trade Descriptions (Halal Definition) Order 2011.

Thus far, there are no regulations that require any food premise operators and owners to obtain SPHM either from Jakim or the State Islamic Religious Department (JAIN) and the State Islamic Religious Council (MAIN), he added.

“The proposal for the mandatory requirement of halal certification to all food premises will require feedback from various parties,” he added.

Mohamad Nordin also advised all restaurant operators and food product manufacturers to obtain halal certificates from Jakim to ensure the food being sold were halal as well as enhancing consumers’ confidence. — Bernama

Originally published on www.malaymail.com