I am an international student in Canada. I lived all my life in Oman. Only a few months ago I found out about machine slaughtered meat, use of animal enzymes etc. I lived all my life in a Muslim country where I assumed everything to be halal. In Oman, the municipality is generally responsible for ensuring food product is halal. To the best of my knowledge, the information on the criteria they use (i.e. whether they allow machine slaughtered halal, animal enzymes, etc) is not publicly available. And the products don’t have any certification labelled either. In this case, does one need to investigate or they can just trust the municipality/government to ensure everything is halal.
Bismillahi Ta’ala
In regards to the origin of country of the product, the general principle is that if the products or meat is from a Muslim country, then the default position of halal is adopted. This is because the predominant expectation is that the majority of Muslims, being governed by Muslims, would be vigilant about Halal and Haram.
However, if there appears a reason or means of shifting that predominant position, then a doubt will come in regards to the products and meat being halal. In such a case, individuals would be required to do their due diligence and carry out research or practice caution.
An example of this are countries where predominantly Muslims slaughter chickens. But when information and news of mass import of chicken from Brazil is reported, and such imported chicken are also visible in the market, then knowing the fact that Brazilian chicken do not cherish a good standing of halal certification, one is forced to exercise caution in all chicken bought in such markets, even though the country may be Muslim.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Faisal al-Mahmudi