KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan has proposed to the Islamic authorities today to start labelling products which are prohibited in Islam, instead of certifying food that can be consumed by the Muslims.

Nasrudin said the introduction of haram (prohibited) label, would help Muslims in identifying suitable products.

“JAKIM should introduce haram label for certain products in Malaysia. Those without label would be considered halal,” said Nasrudin in a post in the microblogging site, Twitter.

“The people would stop buying products labelled haram,” he added.

Earlier today the Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) responsible for certification of halal food products said it would create about 100 new positions to facilitate the halal certification process.

The positions include food technologists, biotechnologists, chemists and reference specialists.

Apart from JAKIM, state Islamic departments are also empowered to issue halal certification.

The government recently announced the amendment to Trade Description Act 1972 to outlaw halal certification issued by other than the two departments.

Halal certification, is a highly sensitive issue as Muslims largely avoid food products not approved by the Islamic authorities.

Last weekend a popular local chain restaurant was raided by the Islamic authorities for allegedly abusing its halal certification.