Chocolate issue: Food manufacturers should be held responsible - PPIM

Chief activist of the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) Datuk Nadzim Johan is disappointed over the chocolate issue involving Cadbury Confectionery Malaysia Sdn Bhd. in which it was reported that two of their products had contained traces of pig DNA (porcine) and want all of their products to be recalled.

“We are disappointed with this issue. We want Cadbury to take full responsibility. In a way, it will undermine the confidence of consumers of the products,” he said.

Nadzim urged for all of the products processed in the same factory to be recalled from the market.

The two products which contained pig DNA (porcine) are:

1) Cadbury Dairy Milk Hazelnut with the batch number 200813M01H I2 and expiry date November 13, 2014; and

2) Cadbury Dairy Milk Roast Almond with the batch number 221013N01R I1 and expiry date January 15, 2015.

“The confidence in the two products have been undermined. There are other products produced in the same factory but then the same material wasn’t detected,” Nadzim said.

PPIM also wants the Malaysian Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM) to tighten its standard operating procedure (SOP) when issuing Halal certificates so that other companies may not take advantage of it.

“JAKIM, as part of its SOP, or any relevant authorities should take random sampling at least once every two months on all products. This is a way to avoid this incident from happening again.

“Previously, JAKIM will issue a fine or any warning and they will return the Halal certification. However, JAKIM needs to enforce its SOP strictly,” he said.

He added that this is a matter that should not be taken lightly as it does not only affect the Muslims but also those who are vegetarian and cannot consume products made from animals.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) deputy president Muhammad Shaani Abdullah said stricter enforcement should be taken against food manufacturers in order for issues such as this not to be taken lightly.

“We cannot blame JAKIM solely because food manufacturers will provide product samples when applying for their Halal certification but it is not practical for JAKIM to inspect all products after that.

“Therefore, the manufacturers should be more responsible and follow the given specifications. They should not change the ingredients used once they’ve been given the certification," said Shaani.

As for the Chocolate company, Cadbury, it will be undertaking a full review of its supply chain to ensure all quality standards continue to be met.

Malaysia Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) has suspended the the halal certification for the two products effective immediately and assured the public that all other products with the halal logo are certified.