The Consumers Association of Penang calls on the authorities to immediately recall imported frozen meat from the market as Muslim consumers would be unwittingly consuming Non-Halal meat.
The call is made in response to the report that the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs had seized 1,500 tonnes of frozen meat valued at RM30 million from a store room in Senai, Johor. According to the report the meat was imported from China, Ukraine, Brazil and Argentina. The Non Halal meat was then repacked and labelled as Halal before it is distributed in the country. (Sinar Harian 2/12/20)
This is not the first time that the authorities had seized unauthorised imported frozen meat in the country:
> In June this year Malaysian authorities seized frozen meat worth over RM80, 000 at Pasir Mas, Kelantan from a neighbouring country.
> In 2018, the authorities found 273 boxes of frozen meat from Brazil weighing 5,106kg worth RM72,840 and RM7,284 in tax.
Due to the high price of local meat, restaurants and other food establishments are using imported frozen meat in the dishes they serve to the customers. Processed meat manufacturers are also using imported frozen meat in their products.
As it is we cannot even say that the Halal labelled meat is genuine. Consumers are advised to refrain from buying imported frozen meat and processed meat products until the authorities can ascertain that the imported frozen meat in the market are genuine Halal meat.
In view of the latest report on the smuggling of imported frozen meat in the country, the Consumers Association of Penang calls on the authorities to:
> Immediately recall imported frozen meat in the market.
Take severe action against the smugglers of imported frozen meat as it involves the Muslim faith.
Press Statement, 2 December 2020