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.
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.
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. - Mkini
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