Kuala Lumpur: The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) in Perlis: has announced that it will take stern action starting early May against individuals involved in selling fake Harumanis mangoes in the state.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, FAMA’s director, Mohd Anzara Azizan, revealed that monitoring efforts have uncovered fraudulent practices. Some sellers are passing off imported mangoes, especially those sold online and by roadsides, as the renowned Harumanis variety from Perlis. FAMA has been actively monitoring roadside stalls along main routes from Kuala Perlis to Changlun and inspecting the labels used by sellers. So far, they have conducted 14 advocacy activities and issued 61 notices to raise awareness. Enforcement action is set to commence in early May, in collaboration with the Kangar Municipal Council (MPK) and the Perlis branch of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN).
To combat these scams, FAMA has been conducting ‘test purchases’ through various online platforms. Many scammers are exploiting the Harumanis season, with test purchases revealing fake mangoes being sold at prices as low as RM50 for three kilogrammes. This is illogical, as premium-grade Harumanis can fetch up to RM120 per kg. This situation not only causes financial loss for buyers but also damages the reputation of Perlis Harumanis.
In addressing the issue, FAMA is expanding advocacy efforts in cooperation with the media, certified sellers, and other government agencies to ensure that only genuine Harumanis is sold. The agency has introduced official ‘GPL’ tags and banners to identify authorised sellers and is encouraging consumers to buy from trusted sources such as Agrobazaar Online or certified retail centres. Mohd Anzara emphasized the importance of responsible selling, compliance with the law, and protecting consumers from exploitation.
He advised the public to exercise caution when purchasing Harumanis, whether online or at physical stalls. Checking the label, price, and verification details is crucial to ensure authenticity.