The demand for halal food in Canada is booming, with Muslims spending over a billion dollars annually on halal products. However, an investigation by Marketplace reveals that major fast-food chains like KFC, Popeyes, and Boston Pizza may be misleading customers regarding their halal certifications. Many consumers, like YouTube channel creators Mohammad and Sarah Arfan of In2Spices, find it difficult to trust the halal offerings at these establishments, with some chains unable to provide clear information about the halal status of their food.
The investigation uncovered concerning trends at several fast-food outlets in the Greater Toronto Area. Of the ten locations visited, six falsely claimed their entire restaurants were certified halal, with some showing expired certification documents. Halal Monitoring Authority’s Imam Omar Subedar emphasized the misuse of certificates and called for stricter regulations to protect consumers and ensure transparency in halal certification standards across Canada.
Despite the growing demand for halal food, Canadian certification agencies remain unregulated, with differing standards and oversight. Advocates like Subedar and the Arfans are urging both businesses and the federal government to establish clearer, more consistent certification processes, similar to successful programs seen in New Jersey. The responsibility for transparency, they argue, falls on both regulators and the establishments catering to this growing market.
Source: Swifteradio.com
