Halal Hot Dogs & Pretzels

KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said it is “not a criteria” for pretzel store franchise Auntie Anne’s to change the name of its 'Pretzel Dog' to 'Pretzel Sausage' in order to receive a halal certification. 

Jamil Khir, who is the minister in charge of Islamic affairs, said there was never an issue with the food name, particularly the term 'hot dog' which is used to describe sausage-based food products.

 He said the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) is focusing on the content of the food, and not the name.

 Jamil Khir said the issue had been blown out of proportion after it went viral on social media. 

This, he said, led to Jakim being portrayed as making a big mistake. 

“Jakim had no intention to ban the use of well-established food terms which had been used all this while such as 'cucur kodok', 'tahi itik' and 'cakar ayam'.

 “Nevertheless, the name of the food should reflect societal norms and the people’s perception and sensitivity should be taken into consideration. 

“There had been precedents; Batang Berjuntai was renamed to Bestari Jaya and Pantai Cinta Berahi was renamed to Pantai Cahaya Bulan,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

 He said Jakim is still in discussion with the Auntie Anne’s management on the latter’s application for halal certification.

 He gave his assurance that the application would not be denied just because of the food name, and neither would Jakim revoke existing halal certifications for others due to the name of the food. 

Jamil Khir added that the halal certification is voluntary and not compulsory on the part of the food operator. -  NST

Wanna Be A friend of the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives & Consumerism Ministry?

Did you know that there is a group of people known as "Friends of KPDNKK (Domestic Trade, Cooperatives & Consumerism Ministry) ?

I'd like to be a friend as well.

Bernama has the report:

LARUT, Oct 15 2016 : The strategic partner of the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry (KPDNKK) or known as Friends of KPDNKK will be registered as an organisation by the end of this year.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin said the move was part of his ministry’s efforts to ensure the volunteer group could play its role, including in monitoring the prices of goods effectively.

“The move is aimed at making the Friends of KPDNKK function in a more comprehensive way and has the power to carry out multiple tasks in helping the ministry.

“They have become the eyes and ears of KPDNKK as the ministry has many acts that should be regulated,” he told reporters after officiating the Pre-Franchise Business Opportunities seminar, held in conjunction with the Larut Raft Festival 2016 here today.

Hamzah said although the ministry had about 2,500 enforcers, the number was still insufficient to regulate various acts under the ministry.

As such, he said Friends of KPDNKK played an indispensable role not only in terms of enforcement, but also to fend off any allegations involving the ministry. 

I don't know about you but I'm all for helping to report bad businesses or greedy businessmen. I think greedy businessmen, especially among restaurateurs, have gone too far in overcharging.

When the price of sugar goes up, they IMMEDIATELY ncrease their the tarik and roti canai by a few sen which to me does not make sense.  And unfair.

Anyway,  the is good.

Let's see if these friends of the ministry can help make enforcement more effective and the benefit should really go to the consumers.