Supermarket in Sandakan caught mixing halal and pork products

KOTA KINABALU: A supermarket in Sabah’s east coast Sandakan district has been found storing halal-certified products alongside pork in its cold storage room.

The operation was jointly carried out by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry and the state Sabah Veterinary Services Department at about 10.50am on Thursday (June 27).

Sandakan Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry chief enforcement officer Azdy Zukkry John said they raided the outlet following a public tip-off.

“After checking its cold room, we found halal products such as chicken nuggets, cheese, butter, and fruits stored together with pork,” he said in a statement.

“We subsequently seized these frozen products weighing 1,016.88kg, valued at RM10,686.80,” he added.

Azdy said the case would be investigated under the Trade Description Order (Halal Definition) 2011.

Under the Order, he said, a company found guilty could be fined up to RM5mil for the first offence and up to RM10mil for second or subsequent offences.

“The Sandakan Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry will continue to observe and conduct checks on business premises that sell frozen products to ensure traders abide by the law,” he said.