Cessation of halal imports from Thomas Foods International Lobethal (TFIL)

Response to parliamentary question on the investigation on Thomas Foods International Lobethal (TFIL), which resulted in the cessation of import of its halal meat products.

1. Mr Speaker, I am taking this question on behalf of the Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs.

2. 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.
3. MUIS has been working closely with local and foreign authorities on the import of meat products from Thomas Foods International Lobethal (TFIL).
4. 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. 
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.