KUALA LUMPUR: Cadbury Malaysia remains confident that there are no porcine or pork-related ingredients in its chocolates, and stands by its halal certification.

“We stand by our halal certification and we have the highest levels of product-labelling standards,” it said in a statement here Friday.

Cadbury Malaysia said it would continue to be in positive consultation with authorities, as it was waiting for analysis from the Health Ministry on the products which contained porcine DNA and the supply chains associated with it.

“We are encouraged by the positive actions of the National Fatwa Council, which is working with consumers to help build an understanding that Cadbury products are suitable for consumption and maintaining the halal status,” it said.

Cadbury Malaysia said it remained committed to adherence of The Malaysian Islamic Development Department’s (Jakim) regulatory guidelines, as prescribed in the Procedure Manual of Halal Certification Malaysia.

Last week, the Health Ministry detected two samples of Cadbury chocolates – Cadbury Dairy Milk Hazelnut and Cadbury Dairy Milk Roast Almond – contained porcine DNA.

However, on Thursday, the National Fatwa Council announced that Cadbury products, which were confirmed as halal before they were claimed to contain porcine DNA, were still deemed so and could be consumed by Muslims.

National Fatwa Council committee chairman Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Abdul Shukor Husin, said it was included in the category ‘Umum al-Balwa‘, a widespread problem which was difficult to avoid. – Bernama