Issue warning, not RM250,000 fine for first-time 'no palm oil' label offences, urges Mydin boss

PETALING JAYA: Retailers found selling products with labels that discriminate against palm oil products should only be given a warning if it is a first-time offence, says Bumiputera Retailers Association president Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin.

"I suggest first-time offenders be given a warning only as I am sure it's not intentional," said Ameer, who is also Mydin managing director.

He also said it was not realistic to expect retailers to scrutinise the labels of every item they sell.

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"They should go after importers and not retailers. Many retailers just buy goods from the distributors and wholesalers so we cannot be expected to go through the ingredients (sic) of each item," he said.

Ameer was responding to Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, who said stern action will be taken against retailers, distributors and importers if they sell products with labels that discriminate against palm oil products.

Under the Trade Descriptions (Prohibition of Use of Statement, Expression or Indication) (Oil Palm Product and Palm Oil Goods) Regulations 2022, offenders can be fined up to RM250,000 for labels that discriminate against palm oil products.

A convenience store in Precinct 3, Putrajaya was raided by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry on Thursday (May 2) for allegedly selling ice cream products with the words "No Palm Oil" on the packaging.

The raid, which was prompted by a public complaint received, saw products worth RM897.60 confiscated for further investigation.

Johari also said that retailers are allowed to continue to sell such products as long as they remove any anti-palm oil labels.