Here's Why A Convenience Store In Putrajaya Was Raided For Selling 'No Palm Oil' Ice Cream

In a statement today, 3 May, KPDN Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the raid was carried out after a public complaint, leading to the discovery of ice cream products with "no palm oil" labels.

The ministry confiscated the ice cream, valued at RM897.60, for investigation.

"The case will be investigated under the Trade Descriptions (Prohibition Of Use Of Statement, Expression Or Indication) (Oil Palm Product And Palm Oil Goods) Regulations 2022," Armizan said, adding that the offender can be fined up to RM250,000 or face up to five years in prison.

The Trade Descriptions Act was amended on 11 January 2022 to give the minister the authority to regulate statements used in trade or business, in addition to expressions and indications.

This amendment is pursuant to the Trade Descriptions (Amendment) Act 2021. Following this amendment, new regulations specifically for palm oil products and palm oil goods were issued on 15 March 2022.

According to the ministry, "no palm oil" or "palm oil free" labels create a negative perception of palm oil among consumers and undermine the good reputation of palm oil produced by Malaysia.

As such, these regulations aim to prevent discrimination against palm oil products.

Armizan said the types of offences include statements in the form of expressions or indications that might discriminate against or boycott any products or goods involving palm oil, which is Malaysia's main commodity.

He said the ministry is actively enforcing these regulations across the country.

According to enforcement statistics from 15 March 2022 until 2 May this year, Armizan said a total of 5,057 inspections were carried out across the country at various levels of the distribution chain, and the ministry found four cases.

"Strict action will be taken against any importing company, distributor, seller, and related parties that sell products imported from abroad that do not comply with relevant legislation," he added.

"We see many imported products from abroad which have nothing to do with palm oil, do not have palm oil content but the packaging states 'palm-oil free'. We have laws. Our products should not be discriminated against. In Indonesia, you can't find this," he said back in March this year.