A Brampton resident has launched a Change.org petition urging KFC to reverse its decision to serve exclusively halal meat eventually in all of Canada.
Roop Sandhu says the policy — which the company announced in a memo to franchisees in May for Ontario (except Thunder Bay and Ottawa) with a plan to roll it out nationwide by year’s end — dismisses the dietary preferences of religious communities which prohibit the consumption of halal meat.
“I, as a Canadian feel marginalized by the decision of KFC to serve exclusively halal meat,” wrote Sandhu, who started the petition on July 15 and so far has 82 signatures as of Tuesday mid-day.
“A lot of Canadians including Indian religious groups like Sikhism and Hinduism, prohibit the consumption of halal meat. This seemingly small decision inadvertently dismisses the dietary preferences and religious sentiments of large communities, making us feel excluded.”
Sandhu emphasizes he’s not questioning the significance of halal meat in Islam but wants to ensure “the dietary preferences of all individuals are recognized and respected.”
“Serving exclusively halal meat disregards the dietary requirements of a substantial minority. We recognize and respect the significance of halal meat in Islam and categorically affirm this is not about questioning those values,” wrote Sandhu.
“We therefore urge KFC Canada to reconsider its decision and instead offer a variety of meat options that cater to different dietary preferences and religious requirements. Join us in standing up for inclusivity and respect for all religious dietary restrictions”
The switch to a menu that caters to Muslim dietary restrictions means KFC franchises will have to ensure that all chicken products are halal certified and not sell products that include bacon, unless they are joint KFC-Taco Bell locations.
Fast-food chains like Popeyes and Mary Brown’s already offer halal chicken in most locations.
Halal is Arabic for “permissible” under Islamic law according to the Canadian Halal Food Certifying Agency, which says food products are not halal if they have “gone through improper slaughtering processes.”
Repeated attempts to ask KFC about the policy change back in July went unanswered and another query about the policy and petition weren’t immediately responded to on Tuesday.