KFC has angered some Canadians after quietly switching to Halal chicken and removing pork from its menu to comply with Muslim dietary restrictions in Ontario.
The U.S. company sent a memo to its Ontario franchises in May to inform them of the initiative, which it called “a testament to our commitment to offering diverse and inclusive menu options.”
The memo noted that Ontario restaurants, except those in Thunder Bay and Ottawa, must ensure that all chicken products are Halal certified and that pork products must be discontinued.
In addition, KFC claimed to have trained restaurant staff in “Halal Operating Procedures.”
The changes will be implemented across Canada by the end of the year, according to the memo.
KFC’s decision comes at a time when Ontario has experienced an influx of immigrants, welcoming more than 650,000 new immigrants in just five years.
KFC has angered some Canadians after quietly switching to Halal chicken and removing pork from its menu to comply with Muslim dietary restrictions in Ontario.
KFC’s decision comes at a time when Ontario has experienced an influx of immigrants, welcoming more than 650,000 new immigrants in just five years.
Ontario has more than half of Canada’s entire Muslim population: about 4.9 per cent of the province’s population is Muslim, and half a million live in the Greater Toronto Area alone.
Pakistani-born Canadian CEO Sabir Sami is one of several Muslim immigrants living in the city.
However, KFC Canada’s decision has sparked a lot of angry comments on social media, with many sharing the hashtag #boycottKFC.
One X user said: ‘Only 5% of Canadians are Muslim. But almost 100% of KFC restaurants in Canada will soon serve halal food.
“This is Trudeau’s Canada, where the loud minority dictates policy.”
Another said: “No more KFC for me. This has nothing to do with religion. Halal slaughter is inhumane and I will never support animal cruelty.”
Pakistani-born Canadian CEO Sabir Sami is one of several Muslim immigrants living in Toronto.
Others, however, took to social media to say they are not concerned about the changes announced at KFC.
“Both Popeyes and Mary Browns have been Halal in Canada for a long time. Both are better than KFC for a long time,” said one X user.
“Do I need to drain the chicken and pray over it? No. Does that affect my chicken sandwich? Nope.”
Halal meat involves the complete removal of blood during slaughter, as well as prayer over the meat.
KFC says it has partnered with suppliers such as Maple Lodge Farms, owner of Zabiha Halal, billed as “Canada’s number one Halal food brand.”
Zabiha Halal Website The company says it makes sure each bird is alive before it is slaughtered with an automated knife, TNC News reports.
However, KFC Canada’s decision has sparked a lot of angry comments on social media, with many sharing the hashtag #boycottKFC.
Others took to social media to say they were not bothered by the changes announced at KFC.
In addition, all meat is blessed by 25 ‘Muslim blessers’.
‘Muslim blessers recite Tasmiah at the moment each bird passes under the rotating blade,’ says Zabiha Halal’s website.
‘We understand that it is not possible for a person to recite Tasmiah continuously, for long periods, at the same pace. In order to maintain a constant speed, the blessers at the sacrificial station are rotated with other blessers to avoid fatigue.
‘This rotation continues throughout the slaughter process.’
DailyMail.com has contacted KFC for comment on this story.
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