Bandar seri begawan: The Halal Food Control Division of the Syariah Affairs Department has recently been alerted to a controversial issue regarding a food product sold in the country. The product in question is the Natural Chicken Stock Concentrate produced by The Natural Stock Company Australia, whose halal status has come under scrutiny after a complaint was lodged about its sale in a local supermarket.
According to Radio Television Brunei, an inspection revealed that the chicken meat used in the product could not be verified as halal, as it lacked certification from a recognized halal authority. This discovery has prompted authorities to issue a directive aimed at protecting the Muslim community. Supermarket owners and managers are urged to remove the product from public view and store it in a non-accessible area, especially to prevent access by Muslim consumers.
The directive also serves as a reminder to all involved in the food supply chain-retailers, importers, suppliers, and distributors-to exercise heightened vigilance in handling non-halal products. This includes careful management at every stage, from importation to storage, transportation, and eventual sale. The Halal Food Control Division has also provided contact information for reporting any instances of non-halal products being sold openly, encouraging the public to come forward with any information.