KK Mart’s ham & cheese sandwich wrongly labelled halal — stores closed for investigation
In Malaysia, halal certification is a serious business — no shortcuts allowed. The process is anything but quick and easy. Simply labeling food as alcohol- and pork-free doesn’t cut it.
Malaysian Muslims rely on JAKIM’s official halal logo for assurance, but even that isn’t foolproof. Recently, Universiti Malaya residents were stunned to discover a pre-packed ham-and-cheese sandwich misusing the halal logo.
On 10 Jan, Universiti Malaya announced the indefinite closure of two 24-hour convenience stores (specifically KK Mart) to investigate claims surrounding a supposedly halal ham-and-cheese sandwich.
Dr. Muhammad Akmal, the UMNO Youth Chief, has since urged a thorough investigation, asserting that “halal ham” is a contradiction, despite the product bearing a halal logo. Some netizens were quick to highlight that halal chicken ham has been sold for a considerable amount of time and is widely recognised by many consumers.
However, according to the Malaysian Halal Certification Procedure Manual (MPPHM), products resembling traditionally non-halal items — like ham, bak kut teh, or bacon — are ineligible for official halal certification.
This is because using such terms can confuse consumers and potentially lead them to unintentionally purchase non-halal products.
On 13 Jan, Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) confirmed that the ham-and-cheese sandwich does not have an official JAKIM halal certification, despite displaying the logo. They also revealed that the company behind the sandwich lacks the certification entirely.
KK Mart has since frozen all business dealings with Shake and Bake Cafe, the supplier of the specific sandwich.
In light of this, Universiti Malaya’s prompt decision to close the stores for a thorough investigation seems like the smartest move. Amid the commotion, some students even suggested replacing the stores with more popular alternatives, such as CU Mart or Family Mart, sparking lively discussions.
The takeaway from this incident is clear: spotting a halal logo on a product isn’t enough. Always be vigilant and verify its authenticity through the official halal certification portal to ensure what you consume aligns with proper standards!
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