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Australian pasta maker San Remo Macaroni Company Pty Ltd has clarified that all its products officially distributed in Malaysia are halal-certified and meet recognised halal standards
In a statement on Monday, 9 February, the company said items sold locally through its appointed distributor, GBA Corporation Sdn Bhd, are certified halal by the Islamic Co-ordinating Council of Victoria (ICCV), a foreign halal certification body recognised by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM).
San Remo added that its manufacturing facility has been audited and operates in accordance with halal requirements.
"San Remo's facility has been, and remains, a pork-free site," the company said.
The clarification comes after a statement by JAKIM on 31 January regarding one product — San Remo La Pasta Carbonara Flavour Pasta and Sauce — which was found to contain traces of pork and is not halal-certified by the department
JAKIM said it was referring to an official notice by Brunei's Ministry of Religious Affairs, which detected porcine DNA in the carbonara product and sought to alert Malaysians that it is not halal-certified in Malaysia.
However, JAKIM director-general Datuk Sirajuddin Suhaimee also noted that the product does not carry a halal logo and is not sold in Malaysia.
Authorities advised the public to check labels and product contents carefully before purchasing, and to prioritise items with recognised halal certification.
A check of San Remo Australia's official website shows the carbonara product lists bacon-flavoured granules among its ingredients, alongside an image of a grilled pork cutlet served with salad in the product's recipe suggestion.
San Remo reiterated that the specific carbonara product is not marketed, sold, or distributed in Malaysia through its official channels
"With more than 90 years of experience in food manufacturing and distribution, San Remo remains committed to upholding halal integrity," the company said.
It also encouraged consumers to carefully choose products certified halal by JAKIM or by foreign halal bodies recognised by JAKIM, and to refer to official JAKIM guidance when verifying the halal status of food products.
