Immitation coffee seized

AYER KEROH: The Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry (KPDNKK) seized 25,085 imitation coffee packages worth RM56,418 in a raid at three separate locations in Malacca.
The operation, which started at 11am and 3pm on Wednesday saw a team of 15 members of the ministry's Malacca branch personnel raid three premises in a supermarket in Jasin, a mini-market and grocery store in Pokok Mangga near Kota Melaka.
The state's KPDNKK deputy director Hamzah Mahdi said the raid was made following complaints from the original brand manufacturers alleging that there was a coffee distribution activity which resembles its brand over three months ago.
"Consequently, we raided three premises and seized 17.940 packs of artificial coffee at a supermarket in Jasin worth RM43,970, a total of 7,040 packages worth RM12,320 in Kota Melaka and 105 packages worth RM128 at Pokok Mangga," he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 8 (2) (B) of the Trade Descriptions Act 2011 and the offence carries a maximum fine of RM15,000 for each product bearing the false trade description, and for a second or subsequent offence, a fine not exceeding RM30,000 for each product.
Hamzah added his ministry believes the product's supplier operates in a premises in Ayer Keroh, but the raids found the premises is linked with a flower business.
"We urge traders who still sell this imitation coffee products to dispose it, and we will take firm action if they still sell it to the public," he said.