SHAH ALAM, July 23 (Bernama) — Cadbury Confectionary Malaysia Wednesday requested for an independent Syariah panel to monitor and verify Cadbury Confectionery Malaysia Sdn Bhd’s chocolate making process to dispel doubts about its Halal status.

Cadbury’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Raja Zalina Raja Safran said the initiative to request for the independent Syariah panel was a proactive measure to restore confidence among chocolate lovers, especially Muslims in the country.

The independent Syariah panel comprised Johor Religious Council Adviser Datuk Noh Gadut; Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) Senior Lecturer Dr Zaharuddin Abd Rahman; independent religious teacher Mohd Shukri Ali and Muslim Consumer Association of Malaysia secretary-general Datuk Ma’amor Osman.

“We understand that Muslims out there are still in doubt about the Halal status of chocolates manufactured by Cadbury.

“Therefore, we hope the independent panel’s monitoring and verification of the manufacturing process and Halal certification will dispel any doubts among Muslim consumers,” Raja Zalina told reporters in Shah Alam.

In May, the Health Ministry’s test on two batches of the company’s chocolate products previously found them tainted with porcine DNA, but the chocolates were declared Halal later by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM).

–BERNAMA