Golden Churn butter confirmed to contain pig DNA, says Daud

KUCHING: The halal certification logo on the Golden Churn Creamery Butter product will be withdrawn now that it has been confirmed to be non-halal.

Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman said the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry would be asked to enforce the withdrawal of the logo.

“The confusion over the matter is now resolved with the decision made by the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) in a meeting on Tuesday that the butter is not halal.

“The decision is applicable throughout the country and Muslims are not allowed to consume the butter,” he told reporters after a zakat presentation ceremony at Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak here yesterday.

He said the confusion arose in the past because the manufacturer was unhappy that random checks conducted in Johor and Sarawak had revealed that the butter contained pig DNA.

“Another test was carried out subsequently and the result turned out to be negative. So, Jakim came out with a statement that the particular sample did not contain the pig DNA and it was not a public statement.

Not halal: A man looking at a Golden Churn butter poster as he walks past a bakery in Satok yesterday. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE / The Star

“However, we conducted another test in the state in June this year through the Chemistry Department and it was found that the sample analysed contained the pig DNA. We cannot pick and choose the samples and the decision is that overall, it is banned for the Muslims,” he said.

On concerns that some kek lapis (layered cake) manufacturers were using the product, Daud said it was the responsibility of Jakim to inform the public that it was not halal.

“However, not all manufacturers are using the product as many are using other brands too,” he said.Golden Churn butter confirmed to contain pig DNA, says Daud

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