SINGAPORE, May 15 -- Singapore's top Islamic authority has publicly rebuked Starbucks after one of its outlets displayed a sign announcing a "transition toward halal-certified operations", a claim made without any official application being submitted.

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) issued a directive to the coffee giant after a photo of the sign at its Parkland Green outlet went viral, sparking a debate online.

The sign stated that pets would no longer be permitted in its seating areas from May 25 as part of this transition, The Straits Times reported.

In a statement, MUIS clarified that it "has not received any application for halal certification from Starbucks to date."

"MUIS takes a serious view of this matter. A...