KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 30): The United States has banned imports of palm oil from Malaysian producer Sime Darby Plantation Bhd over allegations of forced labour in the production process, the US Customs and Border Protection said on Wednesday.

The agency said it has issued a "withhold release order", which will allow it to detain shipments based on suspicion of forced labour involvement under long-standing US laws aimed at combating human trafficking, child labour, and other human rights abuses.

"The issuance of a withhold release order against Sime Darby Plantation palm oil is based on information that reasonably indicates the presence of all 11 of the International Labour Organization's forced labour indicators in Sime Darby Plantation's production process," the agency said in a statement.