Toblerone’s halal certification faces outrage in Europe

Bern: Members of Europe’s far right have called for a mass boycott of Toblerone, the legendary triangular Swiss chocolate with honey and almond nougat, after discovering the popular treat is halal-certified. The federal spokesman of Germany’s nationalist AfD party claimed it showed the “Islamisation” of Europe, the CNN reported.

“Islamisation does not take place — neither in Germany nor in Europe,” the AfD’s Jorg Meuthen wrote sarcastically on social media. “It is therefore certainly pure coincidence that the depicted, known chocolate variety is now certified as ‘HALAL’.” Halal is an Arabic word that denotes that a food or service is permissible according to Islamic law. It excludes foods containing pork or alcohol, and requires that animals are slaughtered by a Muslim by a cut to the throat, without being stunned.

Toblerone has not changed its recipe, but some online commentators have taken badly to the news that its factory in Bern, Switzerland, achieved a halal certification in April. Meuthen’s post prompted some of his followers to react with similar outrage, with several people throughout Europe tweeting that they would not be purchasing the product in the future. “I will never, ever buy another toblerone!!! #Boycotttoblerone,” one Twitter user wrote. “Too bad, I like to eat. But I don’t like Muslim food,” another said on Facebook. (IANS)

Also read: China launches anti-halal campaign