Following the statement issued by the Health Ministry today, that two Cadbury chocolate products contained pig (porcine) DNA, the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) has suspended with immediate effect the halal certification for the two products, Bernama reported today.
The two products are Cadbury Dairy Milk Hazelnut, with batch number 200813M01H I2 that expires on November 13, 2014 and Cadbury Dairy Milk Roast Almond, with batch number 221013N01R I1, that expires on January 15, 2015.
According to Bernama, Jakim director-general Datuk Othman Mustapha said the move was taken based on the Health Ministry's findings.
"Further and thorough investigation will be carried out to determine the actual cause of the contamination of the products," he said in a statement in Kuala Lumpur today.
Othman said Jakim had carried out periodical checks on the product manufacturer on February 20 and found that the company complied with the halal certification standards.
Meanwhile, he called on consumers not to be too worried with the use of Jakim's "halal" logo as constant monitoring was being done from time to time.
"If there is any breach or non-compliance with the halal certification requirements, Jakim has the power to suspend or revoke the halal certification immediately," Bernama quoted him as saying.
Meanwhile, Bernama has reported that Cadbury Confectionery Malaysia has taken immediate action by recalling its two products which were tested positive for traces of pig DNA (porcine).
Its head of cooperate affairs, Raja Zalina Raja Safran, said they were informed that only Cadbury Dairy Milk Hazelnut (with batch number 200813M01H I2 that expires on November 13, 2014) and Cadbury Dairy Milk Roast Almond (with batch number 221013N01R I1 that expires on January 15, 2015) analysed by the Health Ministry were tested positive for traces of porcine.
"No other Cadbury chocolates are affected by this test," she said in a statement today.
According to Bernama, Cadbury Chocolates wished to reassure consumers that all its products manufactured in Malaysia were halal-certified by Jakim, including the locations and raw materials used in the production of these products.
"We are undertaking a full review of the supply chain to ensure all quality standards continue to be met.
"We employ stringent quality procedures to ensure that our products are of the highest standard of safety and quality," she said. – May 24, 2014.