KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Islamic Development Department or Jakim has declared two batches of Cadbury chocolates pig-DNA free and safe for Muslim consumption.
This, more than a week after Malaysia's Health Ministry caused public uproar by announcing the Cabury chocolates were tainted.
Ten days ago, Malaysia's Health Ministry announced two batches of Cadbury chocolates had been contaminated with traces of pig DNA.
But now, Malaysia's Islamic Development Department or Jakim says its own tests on 11 samples of the chocolate showed no such thing.
Jakim says its samples of Cadbury's Dairy Milk Hazelnut and Roast Almond chocolates were taken straight from the factory, while the Health Ministry's were not -- leaving room for contamination.
Muslim groups had been outraged by the Health Ministry's statement suggesting the popular Cadbury chocolates were not halal.
Some 800 Muslim retailers were ordered to pull all Cadbury and its parent company, Kraft, products off the shelves.
The retailers though, have said they will continue their boycott until the Health Ministry retracts its initial findings.
"Our position is that the boycott stands until and unless the Health Ministry issues a statement to either negate their findings or affirm their findings," said Sheikh Abd Kareem S Khadaied of the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association. "The general public cannot be exposed to this kind of 'yoyo' situation.
"Every single ministry has to be very responsible with what they say, especially when it comes to official statements"
On May 30, Cadbury Malaysia issued a statement expressing confidence its chocolates were halal.
For now, the halal certification for the chocolate bars remains suspended.