SINGAPORE \u2013 Starbucks has been told by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) to remove or amend signs referring to its transition towards halal certification, after a sign by the coffee chain posted on social media drew the attention of netizens.<\/p>\n
In a media reply on May 14, a MUIS spokesperson said the organisation has not received any application for halal certification from Starbucks to date.<\/p>\n
\u201cMUIS 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 halal certification approval is strictly not permitted,\u201d the spokesperson added.<\/p>\n
\u201cSuch representations can mislead the public and may constitute a breach of MUIS Halal Certification Conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Starbucks has also been told to stop all unauthorised references to halal certification status or application progress across all public-facing communications and materials. The coffee giant has to review and rectify all related public communications, including social media and in-store materials, said MUIS.<\/p>\n
The sign, which was put up at the chain\u2019s Parkland Green outlet in East Coast, said:<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom 25 May 2026, pets will no longer be permitted in our indoor and outdoor seating areas.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis change is part of our transition toward halal-certified operations.<\/p>\n
\u201cGuide dogs are welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a media reply on May 13, Starbucks Singapore said: \u201cThere are no changes to our current store operations and pets will continue to be welcome on our premises.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe apologise for any confusion caused by our earlier communication and thank our customers for their understanding.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a further update on May 13, it added that the \u201cMay 25 deadline is no longer applicable\u201d.<\/p>\n
When asked about its bid for halal certification, the company said on the same day that the issue \u201cwould be addressed when Starbucks Singapore is ready to share further updates publicly\u201d.<\/p>\n
The photo of the sign was uploaded by a member of the public to social media on May 11 and sparked a debate among netizens.<\/p>\n
On forum platform Reddit, some netizens questioned the coffee giant\u2019s move to ban pets.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think it makes a lot of sense. But just take your business elsewhere and let the money talk. Plenty of other cafes,\u201d said one netizen.<\/p>\n
Another said: \u201cIt\u2019s kinda a dumb move. The ECP (East Coast Park) outlet is literally right next to a dog park. There\u2019s more customers who are dog owners than Muslims, and they are likely regular customers, too, because of the dog park.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some users defended the proposed ban, however. \u201cYou need to understand the real problem on the ground, especially at the ECP Starbucks. There are way too many inconsiderate dog owners letting their dogs mark here and there,\u201d wrote one netizen.<\/p>\n
Another netizen said: \u201cRegardless of whether it\u2019s dogs or cats, I don\u2019t think animals should be anywhere near or inside food and beverage establishments. Hygiene and comfort for all customers should come first.\u201d<\/p>\n
In response to a discussion on halal certification between two netizens on social media platform Threads, halalsg \u2013 an official account owned by MUIS \u2013 clarified on May 12 that \u201cpet dogs are not permitted within halal-certified establishments, and this includes outdoor refreshment areas\u201d.<\/p>\n A Starbucks sign saying that pets would no longer be permitted in its premises starting from May 25 went viral after a photo of it was posted on social media on May 11.<\/p>\n PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM THROWAWAYAWAY539\/REDDIT<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n However, guide dogs are permitted \u201cunder specific conditions\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cHalal certification compliance goes beyond ingredients alone. It covers operational requirements across the entire premises, including handling procedures and prevention of cross-mixing within the certified establishment,\u201d the halalsg account wrote.<\/p>\n It added that the Starbucks sign \u201cled many to assume that the establishment is already halal-certified, or is in the midst of the approval process \u2013 but that is not the case\u201d.<\/p>\n In December 2024, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) announced that eateries may seat patrons and their pets outdoors without a pet cafe licence<\/span><\/a> from Jan 1, 2025, if they do not serve pet food.<\/p>\n SFA said then that the move was part of its regular review of food safety laws and was expected to benefit some 40 businesses every year.<\/p>\n<\/picture><\/div>