FOOD industry operators have until Dec 31 to apply for new halal logos, or risk being fined up to RM1 million or jailed under the new Trade Descriptions Act (ADP) 2011.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said premises using old halal logos must replace them with the standardised logos issued by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and state religious councils.
He said these two authorities were given the authority and right to issue halal certificates as they were not motivated by business and have the best facilities.
He said Jakim and the councils had the ability to determine that only halal deoxyribonucleic (DNA) acid was allowed for the preparation of food products to Muslims via the halal laboratory located in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.