Cadbury allays halal fear

PETALING JAYA: Cadbury Malaysia today assured Malaysians that it will adhere to food safety and halal standards.
This assurance comes in the wake of public outcry and reports by the health ministry on the finding of porcine DNA in Cadbury chocolates.
"Since it came light, we have been actively engaging with the authorities to investigate the issue with the highest urgency. We understand that customers are disappointed to hear the news on the recent test by health ministry on two of our products," it said in a statement today.
"We hear you and we value your comments and feedback over this issue. We understand how important halal is to the Muslim community. It is also of the highest importance to us here at Cadbury," it said.
All affected Cadbury Dairy Milk Hazelnut (with batch number 200813M01H I2 that expires on Nov 13, 2014) and Cadbury Dairy Milk Roast Almond (with batch number 221013N01R I1 that expires on Jan 15, 2015) have been recalled with immediate effect.
Cadbury Malaysia also reassured consumers that its other products made in Malaysia were not affected by this test.
The company on Saturday said it will undertake a full review of the supply chain to ensure all quality standards are met continually, and that all Cadbury chocolates manufactured in Malaysia are halal-certified by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).
It said that all details pertaining to its product including the locations and raw materials used in the production are disclosed.
"We employ stringent quality procedures to ensure that our products are of the highest standard of safety and quality," the statement said.
When contacted, the health ministry said that a press conference will be held tomorrow on the issue.
Meanwhile, domestic trade, cooperatives and consumerism ministry will conduct immediate check to ensure chocolate products found to contain porcine DNA have been removed from the shelves by the manufacturer.
Its deputy minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, said the ministry's enforcement division will conduct checks at premises and outlets selling imported chocolates, including Langkawi, as well as airports, to ensure the two
chocolate products found to contain the porcine DNA were no longer being sold.