Local coffee manufacturer Aik Cheong Coffee Roaster Sdn Bhd has denied exporting its Golden Eagle instant coffee powder and cappuccino mix powder to Israel.
In a statement today, the company clarified that both products are fully owned by its customer in Russia.
“Aik Cheong is a manufacturer and only produces products that are exported directly to Russia and not to that country (Israel),” it said, adding that the company has customers in 50 countries, and Israel is not on that list.
The statement was made in response to a Malaysiakini report on June 27 regarding official data from Israel indicating that dozens of food products from Malaysian companies had been imported by Israeli companies for the market there.
Among them was Aik Cheong, through its two products - Golden Eagle instant coffee powder and cappuccino mix powder - which have received kosher certification from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.
However, it is unclear from the data whether the importer dealt directly with the Malaysian company, used third-party agents, or imported from other countries.
Further commenting, Aik Cheong said its overseas customers have the freedom and right to conduct business with any country according to their own policies and agreements.
“However, we have reminded our customers not to do business with countries that are sanctioned by Malaysia,” the company said.
Regarding the kosher certification, the company stressed that it was not informed about it.
“With regard to the kosher certification, it was registered by the distributor to our Russian customer without informing us.
“Therefore, we have directed our Russian customer to instruct their distributor to cancel the certification,” it said.
The official data on Malaysian products exported to Israel was obtained and investigated by Arabic Post.
The database is maintained by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, the highest religious authority in Israel that issues kosher certificates for marketing purposes in Israel.
Food and raw ingredients that receive kosher certification are confirmed to be fit for consumption under Jewish dietary restrictions, and the certification logo is placed on products sold in Israel.
This is similar to the halal certification issued by Malaysia’s Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and halal agencies in other countries. - Mkini
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