Food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical manufacturers will be compelled to apply for halal certificates once the Trade Descriptions Act 1972 is amended by Parliament in October.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom said the amendment was aimed at strengthening regulations for the nation's halal industry.

He said the government's present approach was to educate by asking traders to apply for halal certificates while urging the public to choose halal eating places.

"We are not blaming the traders as they may have their own problems.

"The amendment will make them apply for halal certificates," he told reporters after launching Jelajah Sahabat Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (Yadim) 1Malaysia programme at Masjid Putra in Putrajaya today.

The minister was commenting on reports that several five-star hotels had failed to apply for halal certification.

On baby abandonement cases, Jamil said the problem should not be left to agencies and organisations as all quarters especially parents were responsible.

- Bernama