After pig DNA debacle, Muslim traders launch boycott of Cadbury, Kraft products
KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 — An association representing 800 Muslim traders today kicked off an official boycott of all products under Kraft Foods Manufacturing Malaysia, in protest over Cadbury Malaysia’s alleged inaction over the porcine DNA found in its chocolates. The Malaysian Muslim Wholesellers’ and Retailers’ Association (Mawar) said they have instructed their members to take all the products off their shelves and return them to the food manufacturer. The boycott will cover all products under a long list of brands in the Kraft stable, including Cadbury, Cheezels, Jacob’s, Chacos, Kraft, Ritz, Chipsmore, Tiger, Oreo, Toblerone, Halls, Clorets, Twister and Dentyne. Mawar advisor Bazeer Ahmed said it was appalling that Cadbury Malaysia’s management has not voluntarily recalled the two products found to contain traces of pig DNA, even after it was confirmed by the Health Ministry.
It has already been declared (to contain porcine DNA), so they must take proactive measures and take the products off the shelves. But as far as I am aware, they have not approached any retailer to take back the products,” he said at a press conference. “This is an irresponsible act by Cadbury and it is unacceptable by Malaysians, be it Muslims or non-Muslims,” he added. Earlier this week, more than 20 Malay-Muslim groups called for a nationwide boycott on all Cadbury products, saying that a holy war needs to be waged against the confectionary giant for attempting to “weaken” Muslims in Malaysia. At a news conference, the groups which include the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM), Perkasa, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Darul Islah Malaysia (Perkid), Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) and the Halal Muslim Entrepreneurs’ Association (Puhm) claimed that Cadbury had “crossed the line” by selling its porcine-tainted chocolates, and that swift action was needed.
PPIM president Datuk Nadzim Johan said that they have begun discussing matters with Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) and other Malay NGOs on possible legal action.
Cadbury’s Malaysian outfit scrambled to recall two batches of chocolate products found tainted with porcine DNA by the Health Ministryon Saturday. In an earlier statement, the company said it was informed that samples of its Cadbury Dairy Milk Hazelnut and the Cadbury Dairy Milk Roast Almond that had been sent to the ministry had “tested positive for traces of porcine DNA”. Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM) activist Sheikh Abd Kareem S Khadaied stressed that the issue goes beyond the issue of halal, as Cadbury Malaysia had acted in direct violation of the Food Act 1983. He explained that while it is not illegal to include pork in foodstuff, it must be clearly labelled and cannot carry the halal logo. “In this instance, it was not duly labelled and carried the halal certification. This is misleading. Halal is for Muslims, but what about the vegetarians? “This is not just about Muslims, this is for Malaysians. The issue is this is a breach of trust on the part of Cadbury. The matter of halal is number two… this is a violation of the Food Act and not responsible,” he said. Abd Kareem, however, drew some distance from earlier calls to burn down the Cadbury factory and concerns that Muslims allegedly have to cleanse their blood for having consumed pork-tainted chocolates, saying that it is not the Muslim way. Protesters who attended the earlier anti-Cadbury news conference had said they wanted the blood of their children cleansed of the porcine DNA taint and allegedly suggested that the company’s factory be burned down. “That is an emotive statement. Islam does not require you to wash your blood, and Islam also prohibits burning down the factory. We in PPIM do not condone such actions,” he said