The Emergence of Halal Food Crimes amidst COVID-19: An Analysis of Illegal and Frozen Meat Issues in Brunei Darussalam

Abstract

COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a zoonotic respiratory epidemic declared a global public health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO). As a result, COVID-19 has caused food shortages in almost every country, including Brunei Darussalam. During the COVID-19 pandemic. Brunei has had shortages of meat products such as chicken, lamb, and processed meat. Food crime, such as smuggling meat products in Brunei Darussalam, has resulted from halal meat shortages. Therefore, this paper aims to examine the causes of halal-related food crimes in Brunei Darussalam and the proposed solutions. This study employs a library research method, and the data gathered is analysed qualitatively. This study discovered that, amid COVID-19, there are emerging threats of food criminality. As a result, relevant parties face a significant challenge in not only combating food criminality, which has the potential to harm the halal food industry but also in managing food shortages.