Choc’s going on? Cadbury forced to explain “halal chocolate”

CLARIFICATION: Cadbury reminds UK consumers that chocolate doesn’t contain meat

Cadbury’s social media team had to work overtime last week, after a ‘Cadbury Halal certificate’ circulated online and caused outrage.

It started when someone shared a picture of a man holding halal certificates in front of a Cadbury’s sign, captioned: “Cadbury proudly displaying their latest new halal certificates, pass it on.”

The image, which appears to be from an article about Cadbury Malaysia being given official halal status years ago, left UK consumers questioning what the chocolate they were eating actually contained.

Consumers took to Twitter to bombard Cadbury with their concerns about what they were eating, and what exactly made the chocolate halal.

As conspiracy theories spiralled out of control, the popular chocolate makers were also accused of taking the word “Easter” off their Easter eggs, with groups calling for a boycott of their products.

Cadbury has denied that they will be removing the word “Easter” from their products – they also reminded consumers that chocolate does not contain meat.

A spokesperson for Mondelez, the company that owns Cadbury, said: “In the UK, our chocolate products are suitable for vegetarians and those following a halal diet - however, they are not halal certified.

“As our chocolate products do not contain meat… the only animal-related products we use in our British chocolate are milk and eggs.

“We take care to point it out, if and when our products are suitable for certain sections of society who take an interest in the ingredients and manufacturing process.

“Elsewhere in the world, we may label products with any number of certifications based on consumer interest and dietary requirements, and the best place for consumers to find that information is on the product label in that country.
“However, Cadbury welcomes consumers of all faiths and none.”

JIHAD AGAINST CADBURY? Muslims in Malaysia call for boycott of chocolates after pork contamination

After a huge uproar by Muslim groups in Malaysia for selling porcine-tainted chocolates, Cadbury Malaysia - part of the British multinational owned by Mondelez International has said that it remains committed to ensuring that all its products are compliant with existing halal guidelines.

Two of it’s products, namely the Cadbury Dairy Milk hazelnut and Cadbury Dairy Milk roast almond products, have been hurriedly taken off the shelves by the company. They were found tainted with porcine DNA by the Health Ministry.

More than 20 Malay-Muslim groups called for a nationwide boycott on all Cadbury products, saying that a holy war (Jihad) needs to be waged against the confectionary giant for attempting to “weaken” Muslims in Malaysia.

Many have called for the Cabdury factory to be shut down.

At a news conference, the groups which include the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM), Perkasa, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Darul Islah Malaysia (Perkid), Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) and the Halal Muslim Entrepreneurs’ Association (Puhm) claimed that Cadbury had “crossed the line” by selling its porcine-tainted chocolates, and that swift action was needed.

Cadbury’s head of corporate affairs in Malaysia, Raja Zalina Raja Safran, said in a three paragraph statement that the company has received and heard the Muslim community’s call for a “resolution” on the matter.

“For now, we are focusing our efforts and resources on the ongoing investigation. We are working very closely with Jakim (the Malaysian Islamic Development Department) to ensure that our products are compliant with halal guidelines.

“Jakim have also commented that they will be conducting their own tests on our products and will announce the results as soon as they become available,” the statement read.

PPIM president Datuk Nadzim Johan said that they have been discussing matters with Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) and other Malay NGOs on possible legal action.

In an earlier statement, the company said it was informed that samples of its Cadbury Dairy Milk Hazelnut and the Cadbury Dairy Milk Roast Almond that had been sent to the ministry had “tested positive for traces of porcine DNA”.

The Muslim groups also said today they will be lodging a police report against Cadbury “soon”, and called on all Muslims nationwide to unite in efforts to shut down the company’s operations in Malaysia.

Jakim has already suspended the halal certification of the two porcine-tainted Cadbury chocolate products.

Mondelez International UK, which owns the Cadbury brand reassured that this contamination has not affected Britain.

Speaking to the Asian Express Corporate Affairs spokesperson Tony Bilsborough, reassured consumers that “the matter in Malaysia has not effected the brand’s ingredients integrity whatsoever in the UK”.

‘Jihad’ against Cadbury

After a huge uproar by Muslim groups in Malaysia for selling porcine-tainted chocolates, Cadbury Malaysia - part of the British multinational owned by Mondelez International has said that it remains committed to ensuring that all its products are compliant with existing halal guidelines.

GIANT: British owned Cadbury is the world's second largest confectionery brand after Wrigley's

Two of it’s products, namely the Cadbury Dairy Milk hazelnut and Cadbury Dairy Milk roast almond products, have been hurriedly taken off the shelves by the company. They were found tainted with porcine DNA by the Health Ministry on Saturday May 25th.

More than 20 Malay-Muslim groups called for a nationwide boycott on all Cadbury products, saying that a holy war (Jihad) needs to be waged against the confectionary giant for attempting to “weaken” Muslims in Malaysia.

Many have called for the Cabdury factory to be shut down.

At a news conference, the groups which include the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM), Perkasa, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Darul Islah Malaysia (Perkid), Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) and the Halal Muslim Entrepreneurs’ Association (Puhm) claimed that Cadbury had “crossed the line” by selling its porcine-tainted chocolates, and that swift action was needed.

Cadbury’s head of corporate affairs in Malaysia, Raja Zalina Raja Safran, said in a three paragraph statement that the company has received and heard the Muslim community’s call for a “resolution” on the matter.

“For now, we are focusing our efforts and resources on the ongoing investigation. We are working very closely with Jakim (the Malaysian Islamic Development Department) to ensure that our products are compliant with halal guidelines.

“Jakim have also commented that they will be conducting their own tests on our products and will announce the results as soon as they become available,” the statement read.

PPIM president Datuk Nadzim Johan said that they have begun discussing matters with Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) and other Malay NGOs on possible legal action.

In an earlier statement, the company said it was informed that samples of its Cadbury Dairy Milk Hazelnut and the Cadbury Dairy Milk Roast Almond that had been sent to the ministry had “tested positive for traces of porcine DNA”.

The Muslim groups also said today they will be lodging a police report against Cadbury “soon”, and called on all Muslims nationwide to unite in efforts to shut down the company’s operations in Malaysia.

Jakim has already suspended the halal certification of the two porcine-tainted Cadbury chocolate products.
Mondelez International UK, which owns the Cadbury brand reassured that this contamination has not affected Britain.

Speaking to the Asian Express Corporate Affairs spokesperson Tony Bilsborough, reassured consumers that “the matter in Malaysia has not effected the brand’s ingredients integrity whatsoever in the UK”.