PETALING JAYA: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) has initiated an investigation into a bread factory in Sunway Damansara, Selangor, over allegations of misusing the halal logo on its sandwich bread products.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the factory is suspected of violating Paragraph 4(1) of the Trade Description Act 2011, which constitutes an offense under Paragraph 8(a) of the Trade Description Order (Halal Certification and Marking) 2011. The investigation followed a raid by KPDN enforcement officers and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) after a complaint was lodged regarding the halal logo's use on the factory's bread.

The enforcement team found that the factory did not possess halal certification from JAKIM, and the halal logo used on its products was originally issued to a different company that had ceased operations. The halal certificate had expired on October 15, 2023. During the raid, authorities confiscated sandwich bread, a computer, a printer, and business documents. KPDN plans to send bread samples to the Chemistry Department for content verification.

KPDN's enforcement director-general, Datuk Azman Adam, advised consumers to verify the authenticity of halal certifications and be cautious when purchasing products. He emphasized the importance of checking halal status through the Malaysia Halal Portal or the Verify Halal app.

JAKIM also confirmed that the product in question does not hold a valid Malaysian Halal Certification (SPHM) and reiterated that printing the Malaysian halal logo without certification is an offense. Legal action is being pursued against the factory by the Ministry.

Brickfields police chief ACP Ku Mashariman Ku Mahmood reported that a police complaint was filed by a student regarding the sale of a 'Ham and Cheese' sandwich with questionable halal status at a university convenience store. The case has been referred to JAKIM and KPDN for further investigation.

UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr. Muhamad Akmal Saleh has called for a police report to be filed over this issue and encouraged non-governmental organizations to protest against what he described as a betrayal to the Muslim community. He urged the government to take stringent action against entities illegally misusing the halal logo.