KUALA LUMPUR: The Plantations and Commodities Ministry will work with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to crack down on discriminatory labelling against palm oil.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Johari Ghani, said that such labelling was prohibited under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011, and strict action could be taken against companies producing such products.
"We will visit supermarkets that market these products and take immediate action. They will either withdraw the products or face fines.
"We have laws that state any discrimination against our products, especially palm oil, can result in a fine of RM250,000.
"Although the law exists, enforcement has not been carried out. So, I will discuss with the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to enforce these regulations."
Johari added that his ministry would also ask the Royal Malaysian Customs Department to hold back products labelled 'Palm Oil-Free' at entry points.
"I have seen imported products that have nothing to do with palm oil, but the packaging is labelled as palm oil-free.
"This cannot be allowed because we have laws against product discrimination. In Indonesia, there are no products like this because they impose fines, but in Malaysia, we see many products in supermarkets labelled palm oil-free," he told reporters after launching the Saji's new cooking oil label with the MSPO logo and signing of a strategic collaboration between MSPO and FGV Holdings Bhd to promote the certification on its cooking oil.
Also present were FGV Holdings Bhd chairman Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa and MSPO chairman Datuk Dr Suzana Idayu Wati Osman.
