23/03/2026

MONDAY | MAR 23, 2026

3 Call for tighter enforcement as food fraud persists

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Food fraud – from fake honey to mislabelled supplements and dubious halal claims – continues to infiltrate Malaysia’s market, raising concerns over public health and eroding consumer trust. Consumer groups warn that adulterated and mislabelled food products remain a persistent threat, with enforcement gaps allowing questionable items to slip through. Consumers’ Association of Penang honorary secretary Mageswari Sangaralingam said complaints related to food adulteration and mislabelling are not uncommon, although comprehensive recent data on frequently flagged products remains limited. “In the past, one of the most common complaints involved ‘fake honey’ being sold as pure honey. “We have also seen cases involving herbal and health supplements that are mislabelled in terms of ingredients, dosage or health claims, with some even containing undeclared pharmaceutical substances.” She also highlighted more serious incidents in previous years, including cases where horse and kangaroo meat were allegedly mixed and sold as certified halal beef, triggering alarm among Muslim consumers. Plant-based “fake meat” products have also come under scrutiny, with concerns that some may be nutritionally deficient or contain potentially harmful ingredients. Mageswari stressed that food fraud extends beyond product substitution, citing fraudulent halal certification as an ongoing issue. She said data from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry showed more than 140 cases of fraudulent halal certificates were reported between 2022 and October 2024, underscoring persistent vulnerabilities. While Malaysia has established legal frameworks such as the Food Experts warn that the true scale of food fraud remains largely hidden, with most cases only coming to light through enforcement raids or academic studies rather than routine monitoring. Universiti Malaysia Terengganu associate professor of food biochemistry and biophysics Mohamad Khairi Mohd Zainol said incidents of food fraud are significantly under-detected. “Food adulteration is not rare in Malaysia. It tends to surface only when authorities investigate or when academic studies highlight the issue,” he said. The 2020 halal meat cartel scandal remains a stark reminder of the risks, after authorities uncovered a syndicate importing non-halal or substandard frozen meat, repackaging it with fake halal labels and distributing it nationwide, exposing serious gaps in supply

o Consumer group warns enforcement gaps allow questionable items to enter the market, raising health and trust concerns

Other techniques help detect harmful or unauthorised substances, as well as determine whether products have been diluted or altered, particularly in cooking oils and processed foods. “These tools allow us to detect when food has been tampered with, whether through substitution, contamination or mislabelling,” he said. Several agencies are involved in enforcement, including the Health Ministry, Department of Islamic Development for halal compliance, the Quarantine and Inspection Services Department for imported food inspections, and the Department of Chemistry for forensic analysis in complex cases. However, Mohamad Khairi cautioned that technology alone is insufficient. “The challenge lies in implementing these methods at scale. Limited resources, complex supply chains and a reliance on reactive enforcement mean routine “Some imported products sold online may also bypass rigorous checks, making oversight more difficult.” She added that increasingly complex supply chains, particularly in digital marketplaces, have made detecting fraud more challenging than in traditional retail environments. To address the issue, the association is calling for stricter enforcement, greater transparency and stronger consumer empowerment. Proposals include introducing QR codes or digital tracking systems on packaging to allow consumers to verify product origin, halal certification and authenticity. It has also urged tighter regulation of e-commerce platforms, including requiring sellers to provide verified certification details and removing products found to carry false claims. Authorities are also being urged to step up random laboratory testing on high-risk categories such as honey, cooking oil, dairy products and supplements. At the same time, consumer groups stress that public education remains critical. Shoppers should be equipped to identify red flags, such as suspiciously cheap “pure honey” or fake halal logos, and encouraged to report questionable products

The Health Ministry records hundreds of food safety and labelling violations annually, while the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has repeatedly uncovered fake halal logos and misleading product claims. Scientific studies further reinforce these concerns. A 2015 study on processed meats found that only 21.7% of products were accurately labelled, while seafood mislabelling remains widespread, particularly among imported fish. “Foods most vulnerable to fraud include meat and processed meat, seafood, cooking oils, honey and dairy products, as well as herbal and traditional products,” Mohamad Khairi said. “These foods are high-value and widely consumed, making them prime targets for profit-driven fraud.” He said Malaysia relies on advanced scientific methods comparable to international Act 1983 and the Consumer Protection Act 1999, enforcement remains inconsistent. “Malaysia’s regulations provide a solid foundation, but there are challenges in enforcement, particularly when it comes to monitoring small and medium enterprises, rural markets and imported products,” she said. Public awareness has improved in recent years, particularly following high-profile scandals involving halal meat and mislabelled goods. However, many consumers still struggle to identify authentic products amid limited transparency and misleading labelling. “Categories such as honey, cooking oil, dairy products and halal-labelled food are among those most frequently associated with fraud risks. “Despite growing vigilance, consumers remain exposed, particularly when certification logos are misused or product claims are exaggerated.” The rise of e-commerce has further compounded the issue, with online purchases seen as more vulnerable due to the lack of physical inspection. “Online sellers often promote items as ‘organic’, ‘low sugar’, ‘premium’ or ‘halal’, but consumers have to rely entirely on the claims made.

industry work together to strengthen trust and integrity across the food supply chain.” players must

through existing channels. “Ensuring food safety is a shared responsibility,” Mageswari said. “Consumers, regulators and

Concerns mount over widespread adulteration PETALING JAYA: Food adulteration in Malaysia is no longer a sporadic concern but a persistent, systemic threat that continues to erode consumer trust, endanger public health and undermine confidence in the nation’s food supply chain. chain oversight, particularly for imported products. Beyond such high-profile cases, official data indicates a continuing problem. standards to detect food fraud. DNA testing is used to verify product authenticity, including identifying the presence of cheaper or non-halal meat.

testing is only partially effective,” he said. He stressed that food fraud is not merely an economic issue but a serious public health concern. “Hazardous chemicals such as formalin and borax, used to prolong shelf life or enhance appearance, can cause nausea, vomiting, organ damage and long-term chronic illnesses,” he said. “Undeclared ingredients may trigger severe allergic reactions, while the repackaging of spoiled food increases the risk of microbial contamination.” Beyond physical harm, food fraud also carries ethical and religious implications. The presence of non-halal materials can cause distress among Muslim consumers and erode confidence in Malaysia’s halal certification system, potentially affecting the country’s standing in the global halal market. Fraudulent practices typically follow identifiable patterns, including ingredient substitution, dilution with lower-quality materials, mislabelling of origin or quality, and the use of counterfeit certification such as fake halal logos.

Such activities can occur at multiple points along the supply chain – from importation to distribution – making detection particularly challenging. Mohamad Khairi said addressing the issue requires coordinated action involving regulators, industry players and consumers. Preventive measures include routine surveillance, randomised testing, digital traceability systems such as blockchain and QR codes, and stronger coordination among enforcement agencies. He added that the industry must also take greater responsibility. “Stricter internal controls, third party audits and transparent sourcing practices are essential to protect both consumers and brand reputation,” he said. Public awareness remains equally crucial, as informed consumers who report suspicious products form a critical line of defence. “Ensuring food authenticity is not just about legal compliance, it is about safeguarding public health, preserving trust and maintaining Malaysia’s standing in the global halal economy.” – by Kirtinee Ramesh