4 corners The Truth About Halal

The Truth About Halal

By Geoff Thompson, Peter Cronau and Joel Tozer
Updated September 3, 2015 14:09:00

Four Corners goes in search of the truth about halal.

Monday 7 September 2015
What do Vegemite, Cadbury's chocolate, Bega cheese and Kellogg's cereals have in common? They are all Halal certified. Like many products on our supermarket shelves, they've been given the tick of approval for Muslim consumers to buy.
For food producers and exporters it's a straightforward pragmatic business practice. The manufacturer pays for an inspection to gain Halal certification, which in turn opens up lucrative markets.
"Halal certification is a ticket to play." Export Business Advisor
To the growing anti-Halal movement it's the thin edge of the wedge, a sign of the Islamification of Australia.
"I do not want religious practices imposed upon me and I do not want to fund these practices with my everyday grocery purchases." Anti-Halal Campaigner
It's become a touchstone issue for groups like Reclaim Australia, that label it a 'religious tax' foisted on consumers.
Claims about corruption and links to terrorism light up the blogosphere and provide fodder for anti-Islam rallies.
Four Corners goes in search of the truth and follows the money trail to reveal where the Halal funds are ending up.
We meet key players in the anti-Halal movement and the men who decide what's Halal and what's not - and hold the key to multi-billion dollar export markets.
The Truth About Halal, reported by Geoff Thompson and presented by Kerry O'Brien, goes to air on Monday 7th September at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 8th September at 10.00am and Wednesday 9th at midnight. It can also be seen on ABC News 24 on Saturday at 8.00pm, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners.

Tags: consumer-protection, food-and-beverage, international-aid-and-trade, family-and-children, race-relations, religion-and-beliefs, islam, food-processing, livestock,australia, indonesia
First posted September 7, 2015 12:07:00


http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/2015/09/07/4305337.htm