Cadbury Malaysia responds to Ministry of Health findings on pig DNA in its products

Update 27 May: According to the New Straits Times, various government agencies in Malaysia are now involved in investigations: the Health Ministry will be analysing all products from Cadbury Confectionery Malaysia; the Islamic Development Department says that Cadbury's production chain is being checked, while the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism department has warned that companies which are still selling the two Cadbury products in question will face a fine of up to RM100,000 or three years' jail, or both, if convicted.

Update 26 May: Singapore's Agri-food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) has stated that the affected chocolate batches were not imported into Singapore and that it will carry out its own investigations, Channel NewsAsia said.

24 May:  Cadbury Malaysia responds to Ministry of Health findings on pig DNA in its products

Cadbury Confectionery Malaysia responded quickly to a report from the Ministry of Health in Malaysia on its Facebook page and on Twitter, saying that it is recalling the affected products. 

Source: Cadbury Malaysia Facebook page

"We were informed that Cadbury Dairy Milk Hazelnut (with batch number 200813M01H I2 that expires on Nov 13, 2014) and Cadbury Dairy Milk Roast Almond (with batch number 221013N01R I1 that expires on Jan 15, 2015) analysed by Ministry of Health tested positive for traces of porcine DNA. We have taken immediate action by recalling the products from the above two batches. No other Cadbury chocolates are affected by this test," the company stated.
 
"We are undertaking a full review of the supply chain to ensure all quality standards continue to be met. We would like to reassure our consumers that all Cadbury chocolates manufactured in Malaysia are halal-certified by JAKIM, which includes the locations and raw materials used in the production of these products. We employ stringent quality procedures to ensure that our products are of the highest standard of safety and quality. Thank you for your continued support of Cadbury."

Source: JAKIM Facebook page.

Ministry Director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah of the Ministry of Health said in a statement on May 24 that tests had been conducted following speculation on social media on May 23 alleging that the chocolates contained porcine DNA.

Two samples out of three had tested positive for pig DNA, with the third of Cadbury Dairy Milk testing negative.

Jakim, which the halal certification authority in Malaysia, has on its part issued a statement that it is withdrawing halal certification from both products for the time being.  

A story from the Star quoted Jakim Director-general Datuk Othman Mustapha from the statement on Jakim's Facebook page, which noted that Cadbury had passed halal certification checks in February.
 
“We will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause behind the product’s contamination,” Datuk Othman said in the Star report.

While all parties have acted very quickly on the matter, there are still a lot of questions remaining. Since Cadbury has a wide range of confectionery the question remains whether other batches of Cadbury hazelnut and almond chocolate; other flavours or products might be affected. And if the contamination occurred after the confectionery had left the factory, any other halal-certified product might also be at risk.