KOTA KINABALU: An establishment engaged in importing and wholesaling frozen food in Sandakan has been found storing halal products alongside non-halal frozen items.
The revelation came to light as a result of an enforcement operation carried out by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDN) Sandakan Branch yesterday.
Chief enforcement officer of KPDN Sandakan Branch Azdy Zukkry John said the operation uncovered the premises storing chicken and duck meat mixed with frozen pork, with a total weight of 864 kilogrammes.
He said that the operation was conducted by the KPDN Sandakan Branch in collaboration with the Sabah Veterinary Services Department and the Sandakan District Health Office.
"Based on information received, we deployed 11 officers, including enforcement officers from KPDN Sandakan Branch and several other agencies, for the 'Operasi Bersepadu Halal' at a frozen product importing and wholesaling premises in Sandakan.
"The raid on the premises revealed that it was storing halal products alongside non-halal products, including chicken, duck, and pork.
"As a result, we seized the premises and confiscated all 864 kilograms of frozen products with a total seizure value of RM17,302," he said in a statement here.
Azdy said that further investigations into the case would be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Trade Descriptions (Definition of Halal) Order 2011.
He added that KPDN Sandakan Branch would continue to conduct comprehensive inspections and monitoring of all frozen product importing and wholesaling premises to ensure compliance with halal regulations.
"This is to ensure that traders under the Trade Descriptions (Definition of Halal) Order 2011 adhere to it," he said.
He noted that in the event of an offence, a company could be fined not exceeding RM5 million for the first offence, while not exceeding RM10 million for subsequent offences.
For individuals found guilty, he said they could be fined not exceeding RM1 million or imprisoned for not more than three years, or both, for the first offence, and fined not exceeding RM5 million or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both, for subsequent offences.