[BicCherry]

NTUC surrenders commonsense to the feet of religious fanaticism in Singapore

https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2018/08/16/ntuc-fairprice-acknowledges-viral-video-of-pork-in-halal-chiller-and-apologises-for-suppliers-mistake/

NTUC Fairprice acknowledges viral video of pork in halal chiller and apologises for supplier’s mistake
Published on 2018-08-16 by Neyla Zannia

Responding to viral video showing pork in a chiller meant for halal meat, NTUC FairPrice confirmed the authenticity of the content shown in the video and shared that necessary measures are done to rectify the issue.

In the video, which was uploaded to a Facebook by Ms Sarri Maria on Tuesday (14 August), showed bags of pork inside a chiller which was meant only to store halal food.

Ms Sarri, who received the video from WhatsApp, wrote, "Thank you to the person who sent this video. He must have taken it secretly. It looks like the video was taken from NTUC supermarket."
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Ms Sarri then asked for Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) response regarding this matter.

In the Facebook post acknowledging the content of the viral video, NTUC FairPrice wrote, "We have received feedback of a video circulating on social media regarding the storage of non-halal meat in a halal dedicated storage chiller. The video was taken at our North Point City store on 13 August,"

The supermarket chain explains that there are currently two separate chillers in the store, adding that the non-halal chiller was being serviced that morning and some meat items were wrongly stored in the halal chiller for 30 minutes by its supplier.

"We have strict guidelines in managing halal products and this is not in accordance to our practice. We do not condone such action and will follow-up with the supplier,"

It noted that while there was no physical contact between the products, it has nonetheless discarded all the affected halal items and a proper cleaning of the chiller was also done in accordance to the ritual advised by MUIS.

"We apologize for the inconvenience and concerns caused in this isolated incident. We have also reminded all staff as well as our suppliers to adhere to our guidelines when handling halal products," it added.

However, this post gained some reaction from members of the public on NTUC Facebook page. Some asked the store's decision to discarded the items.

Danny Soh wrote, "Why throw the items? Sell them as non halal products or donate to the many charitable homes who do not require halal products?"

Jasmine Wong wrote, "Why must the halal products be disposed of? They can still be sold in the non-halal section."

Larry Lum wrote, "Why dont give those halal items affected to the poor?"

Zheng Shujuan wrote, "I don't mind to take if you give me free as long is not spoilt. Why throw? You should set an example of not wasting food."

Meanwhile Mr Rosli Husain posted questions regarding the matter,

"I have the following questions:

1) Since you only have 2 chillers (1 Halal and 1 Non Halal). How would you then store the products when one of the chiller is down. This could also be the reverse (Meaning, if the Halal chiller is down.How will you store the products?)

2) You said that you have strict guidelines managing the Halal products. This incident did not reflect this statement you made. Obviously, there is no check and balance to ensure correct execution of your SOP.

3)I am also not in favour of NTUC discarding the Halal products that have been "contaminated". However, how do we know that what you said was done (Because, clearly you failed badly in the "managing" part)."

[BicCherry]

Shows that NTUC is a heartless monster to throw away fully edible food just to boast to one racial group that it is 'remorseful', however, NTUC actions reek of going overboard and overkill.

NTUC should have either organised a cheap sale or moved all the halal food into the non halal section to be either donated to non-halal charity/ customers (repackaged or with halal packaging destroyed so as to avoid confusion). Any money raised could then be given out to visiting muslim customers as compensation for not having halal products on sale.

Now all customers will have to pay higher prices because of NTUC DOUBLE MISTAKE and moral crime of throwing totally good and edible food away.

NTUC has forgotten that Singapore is a multiracial society and there will still be great demand by the non-muslim population for the fresh food even though the halal certification has been cancelled.

NTUC behavior is overboard and overkill and reeks of religious extremism.

Just goes to show that NTUC CEO/board/ the leaders of Singapore really live in Ivory towers and are out of touch with society at large:

"If the annual salary of the Minister of Information, Communication and Arts is only $500,000, it may pose some problems when he discuss policies with media CEOs who earn millions of dollars because they need not listen to the minister's ideas and proposals. Hence, a reasonable payout will help to maintain a bit of dignity."
- MP Lim Wee Kiak apologises for comments on pay
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Since President Halima was ex-NTUC boss, maybe she should donate to charity the total value of all the food wrongly discarded (her excessive salary can easily cover the loss), or else ask ESM Goh CT do help her pay since being in gahmen for so long, they must own up for the very knee jerk, mistaken and MEDIOCRE decisions of the NTUC staff (senior Fairprice staff were probably involved for an entire coldroom of food to be diaposed off and to employ MUIS staff to spiritually cleanse the Halal coldroom for resumption of use).