Singapore Islamic council reprimands Starbucks for claiming ‘halal transition’ without application
SINGAPORE, May 15 — Singapore’s top Islamic authority has publicly rebuked Starbucks after one of its outlets displayed a sign announcing a “transition toward halal-certified operations”, a claim made without any official application being submitted.
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) issued a directive to the coffee giant after a photo of the sign at its Parkland Green outlet went viral, sparking a debate online.
The sign stated that pets would no longer be permitted in its seating areas from May 25 as part of this transition, The Straits Times reported.
In a statement, MUIS clarified that it “has not received any application for halal certification from Starbucks to date.”
“MUIS takes a serious view of this matter. Any reference to halal certification status, preparations towards halal certification, or an ongoing halal application process, prior to approval is strictly not permitted,” a spokesman said, adding that such claims can “mislead the public.”
The council has ordered Starbucks to remove all unauthorised references to its halal status across all public communications and materials.
The controversy prompted a swift apology and reversal from Starbucks. In a statement, the company said:
“There are no changes to our current store operations and pets will continue to be welcome on our premises. We apologise for any confusion caused by our earlier communication.”
It also confirmed that the May 25 deadline was no longer applicable.
The sign sparked a heated debate among netizens, particularly as the East Coast Park outlet is located next to a popular dog park. Users on social media criticised the move as alienating a key customer base, while others defended the proposed ban on hygiene grounds.
Clarifying the rules, MUIS’s official social media account, halalsg, explained that “pet dogs are not permitted within halal-certified establishments,” including outdoor areas.
This is because halal compliance covers the entire premises and operational procedures, not just ingredients. The account also noted that the Starbucks sign had wrongly led many to assume the chain was already certified or in the process of applying.
The incident is particularly notable as it comes after the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) relaxed its rules in January 2025, allowing eateries to welcome pets in outdoor areas without needing a special “pet cafe” licence.
