Armizan Mohd Ali said the matter was confirmed by the chemistry department, Sinar Harian reported. “There is no porcine DNA in all the samples tested,” he was quoted as saying.

Controversy was sparked in January after concerns were raised over the use of the halal logo on the pre-packed chicken ham and cheese sandwiches sold at a KK Mart shop.

The grocery chain subsequently suspended all business dealings with the supplier, Shake And Bake Cafe Sdn Bhd, who had insisted that the meat used in the sandwiches was halal certified.

However, the Islamic development department (Jakim) said even if the meat used was certified halal, the entire product was not qualified as halal.

Jakim director-general Sirajuddin Suhaimee said no product or service could be described as halal or carry a halal logo without verification and certification by the department.

Shake and Bake Cafe and its managing director, Ewe Sarn Yuen, were taken to court and pleaded not guilty to a charge of misusing the halal logo.