The factory was found with packaging boxes claiming that the belacan was halal, but health inspectors from the Penang health department found the company had no halal certification for the product that was being sold under a well-known brand name.

The owner of the factory said they were just “sample boxes” but the officers found the explanation unacceptable.

The department’s food safety and quality division officer Mohd Wazir Khalid said the owner did not cooperate when questioned further.

He added that the officers believe the factory had been producing belacan in bulk for other brands, too, as boxes with different brand names were also found.

Wazir said the factory was operating under unhygienic conditions, with workers not wearing proper clothing and using dirty tools.

Workers in slippers were also found stomping on the belacan that had been spread out on the floor to dry, and flattened with a dirty hoe.

Separately, a tofu factory in Kampung Selamat in Tasek Gelugor was found to have rat droppings in its storeroom and also in the ingredients placed on the floor.

It too was ordered to be closed for two weeks by the Penang health department.

A total of seven compound notices were issued to both factories totalling RM12,000.