Just last month, Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry (KPDNKK) had launched a massive crackdown on hardware shops that sell paint brush made with pig bristles without labels.
Source: The Sun Daily
Since the sellers themselves were clueless about the origin of the brushes, they decided to label all the brushes as ‘non-halal’ to prevent Muslim consumers from buying or touching them.
Source: Say No To Najib FB
But today, Terengganu KPDNKK has issued a reminder to all the hardware shop owners that labeling all brushes as ‘non-halal’ regardless of what it’s made of, is also against the law, Sinchew reported.
They must label the products accordingly as ‘halal’ or ‘non-halal’, instead of labeling all as ‘non-halal’. Don’t take the shortcut guys!
Terengganu KPDNKK deputy director Md Nawawi said:
“If the enforcement officers are suspicious about the brushes during inspection, they may seize the brush and send to laboratory for test. If the seized items are ‘halal’ but labeled as ‘non-halal’, the shop owners are considered to have broken the law.”
To smoothen things out from the seller’s end, the authority has already contacted the paint brush manufacturers and reminded them to label the products instead of passing the problem to the sellers.
It should be easy for the manufacturers because they’re aware that products with A913 and A680 serial numbers are made with pig and dog bristle.
“The sellers only need to separate the halal and non-halal brushes, and then label the non-halal ones as pig or dog bristle,” he added.
Owners who failed to comply with the new ruling will be charged under 2011 Trade Description Act. Upon conviction, owners can be fined up RM250,000.
Looks like the shop owners have to get cracking again before the next round of inspection begins. May the odds be ever in the seller’s favour!
Also read: Officials Confiscating Paint Brushes To Check For Pig Hair, Non-Halal Brushes Must Be Separated
