Jakim officers ready to consume Cadbury chocolates to prove halal status

As a way of proving the halal status issued by Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to Cadbury, its officers are ready anytime to demonstrate consuming the chocolates.

Its Halal Hub Division senior director, Mohd Amri Abdullah said that they stand by their decision which they issued and have no problem proving it to the public.

He added that a halal status was only issued when the standard and procedures of a product set are met.

“As stated, Cadbury is halal. If we are asked to eat the Cadbury chocolate, we are confident as it is certified halal.

“In this matter, it needs a strong confidence to ensure the halal concept.

“Consumers should leave all doubts aside,” said Mohd Amri during Astro AWANI’s Awani745 on Monday night.

Mohd Amri said the decision made by Jakim is the same as the decision issued by the Chemistry Department as it is also based on the other procedures set by the department (Chemistry Department).

“In order to make a decision on the halal status, Jakim only used the Chemistry Department’s lab which is allowed.

“The standard and procedures which are used by Jakim to certify a halal status is the same as the ones used by the Ministry of Health,” said Mohd Amri.

He also denied that the decision made on Monday was a U-turn as claimed by several quarters.

Mohd Amri also said that the public should refer to Jakim on all matters pertaining to halal certification.

“Jakim is seen as an imam, consumers as its followers (congregation) who needs to follow what is decided by Jakim in this issue,” said Mohd Amri.

The Health Ministry had earlier detected two samples of the Cadbury chocolate, namely the Cadbury Dairy Milk Hazelnut and Cadbury Dairy Milk Roast Almond which contained pig DNA (porcine).

Based on investigations by the Ministry three samples of the Cadbury chocolate had been taken for further analysis.

Minister in The Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom on Monday however announced that no traces of pig DNA were found in the Cadbury chocolates. The announcement was made following tests done by the Chemistry department on the samples taken from the chocolate factory.

The announcement however created doubts among consumers on the Cadbury status.