Update on MUIS' Investigation into Australian Abattoir's Products for Compliance with Halal Certification Requirements
Ministry of Social and Family DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns MUIS’ investigation into Thomas Foods International Lobethal (TFIL) meat products and the processes leading to their import cessation. Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap requested details on the findings, and Minister for Social and Family Development and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli B M M explained that MUIS coordinated with international bodies to verify halal integrity. While TFIL met food safety standards, its certifier acknowledged lapses in slaughtering protocols, prompting MUIS to instruct establishments to stop using TFIL products on 30 May 2022. The Minister noted that MUIS utilizes the Foreign Halal Certification Bodies recognition scheme to ensure imported products align with Singapore MUIS Halal Standards. This collaborative verification process allows MUIS to monitor meat imports closely and take immediate action when certification protocols are compromised.
Transcript
118 Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked the Minister for Social and Family Development and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs whether the Ministry can provide more details on MUIS' investigation processes and findings on Thomas Foods International Lobethal, which resulted in the cessation of the use and import of meat products from them.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: MUIS ensures that imported halal certified products used by its halal certificate holders adopt halal standards that are similar or comparable to the Singapore MUIS Halal Standards (SMHS) through the Foreign Halal Certification Bodies (FHCB) recognition scheme.
MUIS has been working closely with local and foreign authorities on the import of meat products from Thomas Foods International Lobethal (TFIL).
On 16 May 2022, the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment of Australia (DAWE) replied to Singapore Food Agency (SFA) that TFIL’s operations are in compliance with Australia’s food safety regulations and standards. This is aligned with Singapore’s food safety requirements. SFA shared this information with MUIS.
In parallel, MUIS sought inputs from the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (JAKIM) which had convened its own investigations into TFIL through its appointed representative based in Canberra.
MUIS also sought verification from the halal certifier of TFIL, Supreme Islamic Council of Halal Meat in Australia (SICHMA), which acknowledged lapses of halal slaughtering protocols by TFIL as reported in the media on 28 May 2022.
When it became clear that halal integrity at TFIL was compromised, MUIS instructed its halal-certified establishments to cease the use of meat products from TFIL with immediate effect on 30 May 2022. MUIS continues to closely monitor the import of halal meat products into Singapore.