Azlan Othman
The Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) through the Halal Food Control Division of the Syariah Affairs Department continued its spotcheck on eateries on Saturday, targetting 137 businesses in Kiulap, where 50 business premises (36.5 per cent) were found to have not applied for Halal certificate or Halal permit, while nine others possessed expired certificates and permits. They were issued Order Notice.
A similar spotcheck in the city centre previously found 43 eateries had not applied for the Halal certificate or Halal permit.
The spotcheck is to enforce laws on the obligation to apply and acquire a Halal certificate or Halal permit for food retailers.
Section 4 (1) and Section 10 (1) (a) Halal Certificate and Halal Label (Amendment) Order 2017 stipulates that individuals owning and providing food business or food processing facility are required to apply and acquire Halal Certificate and Halal Label.
MoRA reminded food businesses and retailers that application to acquire for a Halal certificate or Halal permit is mandatory. Failure to make application is an offence and if convicted, the individual can be fined up to BND8,000 or an imprisonment of up to two years, according to Section 4 (5) and Section 10 (6) of Halal Certificate and Halal Label (Amendment) Order 2017.
Food businesses and retailers are also reminded to adhere to the laws under the Halal Certificate and Halal Label Order.
