Measures against false halal certification and labelling

Response to parliamentary question on the prosecution of a licensed food importer for using false halal certificates from an overseas halal certification body and what measures are being taken to detect and report such breaches in the future.

Written PQ 4841. Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs with regard to the prosecution of a licensed food importer for false halal certificates from an overseas halal certification body and false halal labelling (a) whether the importer’s food importing licence has been revoked; (b) whether the importer concerned and the officers prosecuted will be barred from applying for MUIS halal certification in the future; and (c) what are the steps and measures taken to ensure that such breaches are expeditiously detected and reported. 

1.      The Member is referring to the case of Yocorn Food Enterprise Pte Ltd (Yocorn), which is a licensed food importer, but not a Muis halal-certificate holder. When Muis detected that Yocorn was selling smoked duck falsely labelled as “halal” to Muis halal-certified food establishments, Muis immediately instructed its other halal-certificate holders not to purchase any smoked duck items from Yocorn that were presented as “halal”.  Muis also stepped up its inspections of food establishments that serve duck items to ensure compliance. Yocorn’s license was not revoked but Yocorn and its director were fined $35,000 and $20,000 respectively under the Wholesome Meat and Fish Act for their actions. 

2.      Muis regularly inspects halal-certified food establishments to ensure that their products and offerings are accompanied by valid halal certification from Muis or Muis-recognised foreign halal certification bodies.

• Food establishments that have previously breached the conditions for Muis’ halal-certification are inspected more frequently by Muis. Such establishments are also given a shorter validity for their halal certification when they are recertified. 
• Muis will take the necessary investigative and enforcement actions if any breaches of its Halal Certification Conditions are identified and reported.

3.      Muis regularly reviews its Halal Certification Conditions, including to tighten measures taken against companies with repeated halal violations.