PLANTATION Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani has declared that retailers, distributors and importers found dealing in products with discriminatory labels against palm oil will face severe consequences.
According to him, fines of up to RM250,000 could be imposed on those found in violation of the Trade Descriptions (Prohibition of Use of Statement, Expression or Indication) (Oil Palm Product and Palm Oil Goods) Regulations 2022.
The minister pledged heightened enforcement activities to combat such practices, signalling a crackdown on offenders.
“In fact, we will also inform the Customs Department that this cannot be done (under existing laws). We want to show to those outside that we are firm on this,” he stated during a press conference held here on Friday (May 3).
The announcement follows a recent raid by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry on a convenience store in Precinct 3, Putrajaya, conducted in response to a public complaint.
The store was suspected of selling food products labeled “No Palm Oil”. Various flavours of ice cream bearing the controversial labelling were confiscated during the raid, amounting to RM897.60 worth of products.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali confirmed that the raid was prompted by a public complaint and reiterated the government’s stance against discriminatory labeling.
“The raiding team found various flavours of ice cream with the wording. The ice cream worth a total of RM897.60 was confiscated for further investigation.”
He noted that the regulations prohibiting such labels came into effect on March 15, 2022.
Addressing concerns about the sale of these products in supermarkets, Johari clarified that they may continue selling them provided the discriminatory wording is removed or covered.
“Some of them put a sticker over the words. They might still have some stocks, but in the future, we do not want (this to continue),” he asserted.
“I want retailers, distributors and importers to understand our stance, that’s all.”
Moreover, Johari welcomed the enforcement efforts by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, underscoring the significance of palm oil as a vital commodity for Malaysia, the world’s second-largest producer.
“Palm oil is an important commodity for us and we are the second largest producer in the world. And now we have effective enforcement to ensure that there is no discrimination against palm oil products.” – May 3, 2024
