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Dispute over halal labels resurfaces

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An application is making headway for the potential removal of all religious labelling on food products, with specific focus on halal food. The National Coalition of Christian Groups and Individuals for Practical Equality and Protection of Constitutional Rights (NCCGI) has launched a court bid to challenge regulations allowing products to received religious certification, under the view that it may be in contradiction of the consumer’s right to freedom of choice.

This follows a similar move by the group in 2012, who at the time challenged government regulations on religious certification because it was not inclusive of all faiths, making special mention to Christianity. It also comes after Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi made clear his intention to alter certain labelling provisions.

Ebi Lockhat, public relations officer at the South African National Halaal Authority (Sanha), said that whilst the coalition was challenging the constitutionality of food labelling, their complaint in itself was “unconstitutional, unpatriotic and impractical”, as well as malicious in nature. He stressed that at under the current system; consumers were effectively exercising their own rights when purchasing labelled products.

“The producer that wishes to produce these goods aims at market segmentation for consumers be it for health conscious people, the halal market, or the vegetarian market. So it is that person’s constitutional right to ply his trade and produce for the market that he wishes,” he said, suggesting the move was in violation of both consumer and producer rights.

He said this application was in no way endorsed by any of the main Christian representative bodies, but was rather originating from a minor group “using Christianity”.

Practicality of non-labelled products

Another reported suggestion has been that any altering of labelling legislation on the part of government could lead to the duplication of products, one to meet religious dietary restrictions, and the other to appease those not wishing to buy halal or kosher food. However, Sanha believed this to be highly impractical.

“From a practical point of view, can you imagine if all products in stores are duplicated? Then what happens with all those skirmishes where you’re genuinely out of stock of an item; will it now be said that you did not cater for us? And practically what do you with names? What if you have Kamil’s Halal Products as your name, but then you have one without a religious mark?” he questioned.

He added that this would also cause confusion amongst Muslim consumers who always look for religious certification as an assurance that products were in fact halal.

As for Motsoaledi’s proposed labelling ‘shake-up’, any potential move is likely to leave the minister at odds within his own government. It has been reported that as early as two weeks ago Trade and Industry minister, Rob Davies visited Saudi Arabia for discussions on the possible promotion of halal products.

Lockhat was also critical of suggestions that non-Muslims may be carrying the costs that come with the certification of food products.

“If you go to national franchise restaurants for example, you have some that are certified halaal and some that are not. They’re under the same labels and have the same promotions, but you don’t find any difference in prices. The prices are always the same,” he said, challenging the coalition to prove otherwise.

‘Freedom of economic activity’

The United Ulema Council of South Africa (UUCSA) has also had its say in the matter, and has reportedly sought to challenge move that may affect the labelling of halal products. UUCSA secretary general, Moulana Yusuf Patel said the basis of their own submission was that the relationship between manufacturer and religious certify authority was one based on a freedom of economic activity.

“A manufacturer who wishes to have his products certified does so on a voluntary basis. The logo is simply a value-add for the producer and a convenient point of reference for the consumer,” he said.

As for suggestions of duplicating products to appease all, he questioned if such a move would be extended to all faith groups. This would likely lead to an added load on manufacturers, who would be forced to produce and label products in several different ways.

“Now you’ll have a brick of butter with a halal sign on it, and next to it you’ll have the same brick of butter with a kosher sign, because that may be offensive to another faith group. Next to that you’ll have the same brick of butter with a Hindi sign,” he explained.

Patel echoed the views of Lockhat in suggesting the action was being forth by a ‘fringe’ group, who were in now were representative of the majority of Christians.

VOC has been in contact with the lawyer representing the coalition; however he refused to be interviewed on the matter. VOC (Mubeen Banderker)


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1 comment

  1. I would like to thank Sanha for branding most of the unhealthy food in stores. We choose to abstain from purchasing food with halaal stickers because it was offered up to a different deity.

    What did Luke (a physician who had written a historical account about Jesus) say?
    Acts 15:29  That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
    Acts 21:25  As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

    What did Paul (a believer who taught 1st century Christians) say?
    1 Corinthians 8:1  Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
    1Co_8:4  As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
    1Co_8:10  For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
    1Co_10:19  What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
    1Co_10:28  But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:

    But what did Jesus himself (who is prophet confirmed according by the Koran) say?
    “And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? ”
    “Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? ”
    “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.” “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: ”
    “but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.” Mat 15:16-20 

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