Minister: No porcine DNA in controversial 'ham' sandwich
Published: Feb 16, 2025 6:21 PM
Updated: 9:21 PM
Summary
- Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Armizan Mohd Ali confirms the ham and cheese sandwiches sold at KK Mart did not contain pork.
- He denies his ministry was slow to act in the incident.
The controversial ham and cheese sandwich which caused a firestorm last month, did not contain any pork, a minister revealed today.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Armizan Mohd Ali said today that lab test results that were released on Jan 20 confirmed there was no porcine DNA in the sandwich.
However, he said the sandwich makers were charged with misusing the halal logo.
“We referred the case to the Attorney-General’s Chambers on Jan 23, and charges were filed the next day.
“The process moved fast to ensure justice and transparency,” he was quoted as saying by Sabah Media today.
He was rebutting accusations that his ministry was slow to act on the controversy.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Armizan Mohd Ali said today that lab test results that were released on Jan 20 confirmed there was no porcine DNA in the sandwich.
However, he said the sandwich makers were charged with misusing the halal logo.
“We referred the case to the Attorney-General’s Chambers on Jan 23, and charges were filed the next day.
“The process moved fast to ensure justice and transparency,” he was quoted as saying by Sabah Media today.
He was rebutting accusations that his ministry was slow to act on the controversy.
Halal concerns
On Jan 10, a Universiti Malaya student group published a video raising concerns about whether ham and cheese sandwiches being sold at a KK Mart outlet on campus were actually halal.
This led to a raid on the factory where the sandwiches were made, with samples sent to the Chemistry Department for testing.
On Jan 10, a Universiti Malaya student group published a video raising concerns about whether ham and cheese sandwiches being sold at a KK Mart outlet on campus were actually halal.
This led to a raid on the factory where the sandwiches were made, with samples sent to the Chemistry Department for testing.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Armizan Mohd Ali
The video ignited controversy over the use of the halal logo and ham products being sold in Malaysia.
Critics argued that ham is a pork product by nature, and that ham made from other animals such as chicken or turkey must be labelled accordingly.
Shake and Bake Cafe Sdn Bhd - the company that made the sandwiches - reportedly claimed that the chicken ham used for the sandwiches was halal certified.
However, authorities said the company did not have certification to use the halal logo on the sandwich packaging.
Shake and Bake Cafe and its managing director Ewe Sarn Yeun are on trial for misusing the halal logo.
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Post
RainbowHuman1963
Malaysian officials can be very sophisticated when they want to
They use very advanced technology no one would have dreamt of back in the 7th century to detect DNA contamination in products
Imagine how much our productivity would increase if this level of zeal and meticulousness is applied by our civil servants in their day to day work
ThinkMalaysiaFirst
This is getting ridiculous. Get the country going. We need progress.
bright light
Foreigners have been selling the Bursa Saham continually... Not becos it contain 'ham' but becos the people like Dr. Sock & Ham make a havoc on the people livelihood N the country economy..
Vijay47
The sandwiches, while they were not backed by a halal certificate, did not contain any porcine elements. Their makers/sellers would, I suppose, be imposed some fine on the halal failure. Life would go on, without firebombs and demands for boycott.
Incidentally, MACC and Azam Baki, I hope you are inspired by Minister Armizan Mohd Ali’s moving words “The process moved fast to ensure justice and transparency.”
I am curious about one matter – were the sandwiches halal even without the certificate? Does food become halal only if accompanied by a halal certificate from Jakim?
Just asking.
Likethumb_up1Replyreply
ReportflagI think Jakim is saying you need to pay them, and they can tell you what you can eat. It doesn't matter if its already halal. Its the way of the stupid.
Commentable
37 minutes ago (Edited)
Does the word "hotdog" really contain dog meat? Is it necessary then to send each hotdog item to go for DNA test? Is it logical to split hairs over the matter, especially when the halal logo is used? What about the name "turkey ham"?. By the same logic, the word ham means the product is actually pork and not turkey. Malaysians really need to chill and not let religious bigots to dictate silly issues to run down everyone's life.
Only truth
Na'im and Akmal if both of you just keep quiet everything will be just fine
we have never seen this before even under the previous government
Asam Pedas
When stupidity overwhelms religiosity. Have we become a country of morons?
A Better Msia
Only the political racists in the name of religion believed it and spun the issue to impress the constituents .
Anony_1601363616034791660231601362776648
The NMs must learn a lesson from all the fiasco.
Avoid buying food products which have the logo... it means nothing to the NMs
jakim is just earning the NM money via the use of logos!!
Krabian
When politicians ran out of plots and ideas, the best option is peddle religious rubbish and racial trash. They know it work wonder in this land.
The video ignited controversy over the use of the halal logo and ham products being sold in Malaysia.
Critics argued that ham is a pork product by nature, and that ham made from other animals such as chicken or turkey must be labelled accordingly.
Shake and Bake Cafe Sdn Bhd - the company that made the sandwiches - reportedly claimed that the chicken ham used for the sandwiches was halal certified.
However, authorities said the company did not have certification to use the halal logo on the sandwich packaging.
Shake and Bake Cafe and its managing director Ewe Sarn Yeun are on trial for misusing the halal logo.
***
By posting your comment you are agreeing to Malaysiakini's Terms of Use
Post
RainbowHuman1963
Malaysian officials can be very sophisticated when they want to
They use very advanced technology no one would have dreamt of back in the 7th century to detect DNA contamination in products
Imagine how much our productivity would increase if this level of zeal and meticulousness is applied by our civil servants in their day to day work
ThinkMalaysiaFirst
This is getting ridiculous. Get the country going. We need progress.
bright light
Foreigners have been selling the Bursa Saham continually... Not becos it contain 'ham' but becos the people like Dr. Sock & Ham make a havoc on the people livelihood N the country economy..
Vijay47
The sandwiches, while they were not backed by a halal certificate, did not contain any porcine elements. Their makers/sellers would, I suppose, be imposed some fine on the halal failure. Life would go on, without firebombs and demands for boycott.
Incidentally, MACC and Azam Baki, I hope you are inspired by Minister Armizan Mohd Ali’s moving words “The process moved fast to ensure justice and transparency.”
I am curious about one matter – were the sandwiches halal even without the certificate? Does food become halal only if accompanied by a halal certificate from Jakim?
Just asking.
Likethumb_up1Replyreply
ReportflagI think Jakim is saying you need to pay them, and they can tell you what you can eat. It doesn't matter if its already halal. Its the way of the stupid.
Commentable
37 minutes ago (Edited)
Does the word "hotdog" really contain dog meat? Is it necessary then to send each hotdog item to go for DNA test? Is it logical to split hairs over the matter, especially when the halal logo is used? What about the name "turkey ham"?. By the same logic, the word ham means the product is actually pork and not turkey. Malaysians really need to chill and not let religious bigots to dictate silly issues to run down everyone's life.
Only truth
Na'im and Akmal if both of you just keep quiet everything will be just fine
we have never seen this before even under the previous government
Asam Pedas
When stupidity overwhelms religiosity. Have we become a country of morons?
A Better Msia
Only the political racists in the name of religion believed it and spun the issue to impress the constituents .
Anony_1601363616034791660231601362776648
The NMs must learn a lesson from all the fiasco.
Avoid buying food products which have the logo... it means nothing to the NMs
jakim is just earning the NM money via the use of logos!!
Krabian
When politicians ran out of plots and ideas, the best option is peddle religious rubbish and racial trash. They know it work wonder in this land.
I recently bought a packet of Australian-origin frozen chicken slices, intended for sandwich making.
ReplyDeleteThe packaging actually says Ham with finer print describing the contents as Chicken slices.
Commercially "Ham" is widely used as a generic naming of meat slices.
It carried a Halal Certification from thr Australian Halal Authority & Advisers in Victoria , Oz..apparently recognised by Jakim... ..how ah ?