No Pork No Lard

No Pork No Lard, sometimes also in the longer form "No Pork No Lard Only Vegetable Oil", is a sign often seen at eateries in Singapore, typically put up by a non-Muslim owner indicating that the food prepared there does not contain pork or lard, in an attempt to cater to customers who follow religious restrictions on the consumption of pork. Some consumers and businesspeople treat it as an alternative to halal certification. However, as the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS, Singapore's statutory board for Islamic issues) points out, halal is more complex than simply not containing pig products; halal meat must also have been slaughtered in the name of Allah, and the eatery in question must also not serve alcohol. However, not only non-Muslims are confused by this issue; the Muslim Converts' Association of Singapore also published an article in its magazine to remind their readers that "No Pork No Lard" is not the same as halal.
From 2000 to 2005, MUIS took 33 restaurants and other companies to court for misuse of signs asserting halal certification; several business owners had mistakenly assumed "No Pork No Lard" and halal were equivalent. However, it is not an offence in Singapore to display a "No Pork No Lard" sign as long as one does not attempt to assert halal status on that basis.
 
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