Here's Why A Convenience Store In Putrajaya Was Raided For Selling 'No Palm Oil' Ice Cream
The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry also confiscated the ice cream for investigation.
By Sadho Ram — 03 May 2024, 12:32 PM
The Domestic and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) raided a convenience store in Precinct 3, Putrajaya yesterday, 2 May, for selling ice cream with "No Palm Oil" labels on the product's plastic packaging
In a statement today, 3 May, KPDN Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the raid was carried out after a public complaint, leading to the discovery of ice cream products with "no palm oil" labels.
The ministry confiscated the ice cream, valued at RM897.60, for investigation.
"The case will be investigated under the Trade Descriptions (Prohibition Of Use Of Statement, Expression Or Indication) (Oil Palm Product And Palm Oil Goods) Regulations 2022," Armizan said, adding that the offender can be fined up to RM250,000 or face up to five years in prison.
According to Armizan, the "no palm oil" label on ice cream violated the latest trade regulations, which came into force on 15 March 2022
The Trade Descriptions Act was amended on 11 January 2022 to give the minister the authority to regulate statements used in trade or business, in addition to expressions and indications.
This amendment is pursuant to the Trade Descriptions (Amendment) Act 2021. Following this amendment, new regulations specifically for palm oil products and palm oil goods were issued on 15 March 2022.
Why does this matter?
According to the ministry, "no palm oil" or "palm oil free" labels create a negative perception of palm oil among consumers and undermine the good reputation of palm oil produced by Malaysia.
As such, these regulations aim to prevent discrimination against palm oil products.
Armizan said the types of offences include statements in the form of expressions or indications that might discriminate against or boycott any products or goods involving palm oil, which is Malaysia's main commodity.
He said the ministry is actively enforcing these regulations across the country.
According to enforcement statistics from 15 March 2022 until 2 May this year, Armizan said a total of 5,057 inspections were carried out across the country at various levels of the distribution chain, and the ministry found four cases.
"Strict action will be taken against any importing company, distributor, seller, and related parties that sell products imported from abroad that do not comply with relevant legislation," he added.
KPDN Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali inspecting an ice cream product with the "no palm oil" label.
Image via BernamaEarlier, Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said strict action would be taken against product-importing companies that discriminate against palm oil in the country
"We see many imported products from abroad which have nothing to do with palm oil, do not have palm oil content but the packaging states 'palm-oil free'. We have laws. Our products should not be discriminated against. In Indonesia, you can't find this," he said back in March this year.
