Pau and coffee maker in Ipoh raided for using expired halal certs

IPOH: A factory processing pau (steamed buns) and coffee beans in Tanjung Malim was raided by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry for using expired halal certificates.

Its Perak director Datuk Kamalludin Ismail said the raid was jointly carried out with the Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk) on Thursday (May 9) at the factory which has operating for more than 50 years.

He said checks showed that the halal certificates expired in September 2022.

“This integrated operation is carried out as some halal certificate holders continue to use the halal logo despite the validity period having expired.

“The owner of the factory was advised by JAIPk to renew the application but he had ignored it.

“So we detained a man in his 50s to record a statement and based on information gathered, the factory has been operating for more than 50 years and has four branches,” he said in a statement on Friday (May 10).

Kamalludin said action was taken whereby all pau and coffee powder packets using the halal logo without being certified by JAIPk had been confiscated.

He said the items worth about RM30,000 had been seized, and the case was being investigated under Order 8 (a) of the the Trade Descriptions Act 2011.

“We take the matter seriously and act against traders who use certificates and halal marking on food products or goods that violate the law according to the Act,” he added.

He said anyone with such information can report it to the ministry through WhatsApp at 19-279 4317, its portal at http://e-aduan.kpdn.gov.my, the call centre at 1-800-866-800, or its mobile app, “Ez Adu KPDN”.