Vegemite halal spite From : Australian Times, March 8, 2010 | |||
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| The iconically Australian Vegemite jar now displays a halal endorsement. The move has sparked bitter outcry and protest with a suspiciously racist flavour. |
| Ashlea Maher |
Vegemite is labelled as iconically Australian and now classic gold and red branding is to include another label too.
Vegemite has gone halal in a bid by parent company Kraft to promote the national ‘treasure’ to Muslim Australians.
Halal describes what is ‘fit and proper’ for Muslims to eat. It gives a range of beverages and foods (including meat) that are acceptable.
The move by Kraft has been described as ridiculous political correctness by some commentators and has stirred up a debate about Australia’s relationship with the Muslim community.
“Islamic communities are proud Australians and they want to be able to eat our national icon as well,” Kraft spokesman Simon Talbot said.
“We don’t own Vegemite. The people of Australia own Vegemite. We’re just the custodians and we want to make sure Vegemite is available for everyone.”
Muslim leaders have congratulated Kraft for introducing the labels, but Family Council of Victoria secretary Bill Muehlenberg questioned the company’s motives.
“This is a private company trying to make money,” Mr Muehlenberg told News Corporation.
“Why do we have to keep bending over backwards to please minority groups? There are only 300,000 Muslims in Australia out of 22 million people, which is a very small percentage.
“Of course, there’s a case for making allowances for different cultures, but aren’t we getting a bit carried away with political correctness here? It’s ridiculous.”
Yasser Soliman, Islamic Council of Victoria past-president and executive director of Diversity Connect International, said the halal certification on Vegemite was a sign Muslims were “becoming more Aussie”.
Since the labels were changed, Kraft’s head office has received regular phone calls from people complaining about the halal labelling on Vegemite.
Thirteen groups and many more associated pages have been created on social networking site, Facebook.
The ‘DON’T PUT HALAL STAMP ON VEGEMITE!!’ page has nearly 5000 ‘fans’.
Facebook group ‘Boycott halal labelling on Vegemite!’ claiming to be: “for people who like Vegemite who don’t want to be part of the halal” is driving a campaign encouraging Australians to write letters of complaint to Kraft.
“The halal food industry has infiltrated our home and lives. Halal meat products have been proven to be cruel and cause suffering to the animal,” their front page reads.
While the group denies claims to have been formed purely in a move of racial extremism, it is also linked to another Facebook group called ‘Fuck off, we’re full’.
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