MP: 'Ham sandwich' debacle shows KK Mart must buck up procurement SOP

Summary

• Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung says KK Mart must not pass the buck for its shortcomings to suppliers and needs to improve its procurement process.

• This is after the convenience store chain put the blame for the ham and cheese sandwich debacle on its supplier.

The ham and cheese sandwich debacle shows that convenience store chain KK Mart must review and step up its procurement procedures, said a PKR lawmaker.

The sandwiches were produced by a third party who is alleged to have fraudulently used the halal and KK Mart logos on its packaging.

Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung said it was not enough for KK Mart to pass the buck to the supplier.

"KK Mart must review its procurement mechanisms, including setting standard operating procedures (SOPs) and announce it to the public.

"Taking legal action against the supplier is insufficient. As a Malaysian entrepreneur, KK Mart must be an example of a company that is attentive and socially responsible," he said in a statement today.

Over the weekend KK Mart found itself embroiled in controversy once again after complaints about a ham and cheese sandwich being sold at some outlets bearing the halal logo.

Critics had questioned how a ham product - on the assumption it was pork - could be labelled as halal.

KK Mart later clarified that the sandwiches - produced by Shake and Bake Cafe Sdn Bhd - had used chicken ham which was halal certified.

However, authorities found that Shake and Bake Cafe did not have halal certification for the sandwich or for its manufacturing facility.

READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | Are ham and cheese sandwiches halal?

While halal certification is optional, fraudulent use of the halal logo is a criminal offence and companies can be fined up to RM200,000 for the first offence.

Additionally, KK Mart said the company was also not authorised to use the KK Mart logo on the packaging and is pursuing legal action.

The incident came less than a year after KK Mart was also embroiled in a scandal over socks bearing the word Allah - which the convenience store chain also blamed on a supplier.

Preserve M’sia’s halal industry lead

Touching on the halal industry, Lee said it was an important economic sector which is targeted to contribute RM137.6 billion or 8.1 percent of gross domestic product this year.

He said the industry is expected to grow to RM260 billion by 2030.

Globally, he pointed out that the market value of halal trade is estimated to be at US$2.2 trillion, with a potential to grow to US$9.3 trillion.

"The carelessness of some local businesses could damage Malaysia's reputation as a leader in the halal industry which has remained number one in the State of the Global Islamic Economy for the 10th year," he added.

Umno Youth urges public to do mass checks on fraudulent use of halal logo

KINIGUIDE | Are ham and cheese sandwiches halal?

PKR Youth urges thorough probe into halal logo misuse on 'ham sandwiches'

KK Mart says ham is halal chicken, Jakim states sandwich not certified