The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs has announced its intention to investigate claims suggesting that a staggering 90 percent of honey products available in the market are counterfeit. Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, the minister overseeing the ministry, has stated that he has directed enforcement officers to delve deeper into this issue. He emphasized the necessity of obtaining additional information, particularly from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), to better understand the extent of the problem.
Armizan emphasized the grave threats posed by counterfeit honey to the industry, highlighting the importance of laboratory testing in distinguishing genuine honey from fake ones. Genuine honey not only provides nutritional benefits but also offers efficacy and quality that counterfeit products lack. As the Member of Parliament for Papar, Armizan expressed his concern over the matter, acknowledging the urgency of addressing it effectively.
These statements come in response to a recent report citing Dr. Zulkifli Mustafa, a senior lecturer in the Neuroscience Department at USM's School of Medical Sciences. Dr. Zulkifli's research indicates that a significant portion, specifically 90 percent, of the country's honey market, including stingless bee honey, is flooded with counterfeit products. His studies have shed light on the benefits of stingless bee honey and the alarming trend of adulterating these products with substances like vinegar to imitate their taste.
The issue of counterfeit honey not only deceives consumers but also undermines the integrity of the honey industry. It is imperative for authorities to take decisive actions to curb the proliferation of fake honey products and safeguard consumers' interests. Furthermore, public awareness campaigns and education about identifying authentic honey could help mitigate the impact of counterfeit products on both consumers and legitimate honey producers. In conclusion, concerted efforts from relevant authorities and stakeholders are necessary to address this pressing issue and ensure the authenticity and quality of honey products in the market.
Young Sok Fun is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact Newswav.