The Central Islamic Committee of Thailand (CICOT) has denounced the use of a halal-certified logo on a pork product, saying it will take legal action against people responsible.
CICOT secretary-general Surin Palare said the committee had examined the product and found the halal label on the product to be fake.
Pol Maj Gen Surin said whoever had attached the fake label had discredited the CICOT, which under the law is responsible for certifying halal products, undermining the country's efforts to boost halal-certified food exports and causing damage to the Muslim community.
He said CICOT lodged a complaint with police, adding the committee's legal team is collecting evidence so it can file both criminal and civil lawsuits against those responsible.
Pol Maj Gen Surin said none of the provincial Islamic committees has ever certified pork products.
The committee's move follows an outcry by Muslim customers who saw a shared photo of a pork product mislabeled as "halal", permissible for consumption by Muslims. The pork product was discovered by a kitchen staff member at Dusit Thani Krabi Beach Resort in Krabi while he was inspecting products from a supplier.
According to the resort, the incident took place on Sept 26 after the hotel had ordered pork products from a supplier.
When the products were delivered the purchasing and kitchen staff noticed something wrong with the label and rejected the products.
The hotel has also suspended all food supplies from the supplier and asked it to clarify the incident involving the halal logo in writing.