KUALA LUMPUR: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) has taken legal action against the company responsible for the "ham and cheese" sandwich sold at a 24-hour convenience store in Universiti Malaya (UM) after the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) confirmed the product lacked Malaysian Halal Certification (SPHM).
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar revealed the findings following a field inspection last Friday, which was conducted in collaboration with KPDN.
He said that Jakim's Halal Management Division had received numerous inquiries on social media regarding the halal status of the product.
"The inspection confirmed that the product does not possess SPHM certification, and the company producing it is not certified," he said.
The company's use of the Malaysian halal logo on the product label constitutes an offence under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011 (Act 730), specifically the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011.
As a result, KPDN has taken appropriate legal action against the company.
Mohd Na'im urged consumers to verify a product's halal status using the Malaysian Halal Portal or the Verify Halal application.
In response to the controversy, UM closed two campus convenience stores on Saturday to facilitate investigations without interference.
The closures came after concerns over the halal status of packaged sandwiches sold at the stores.