The Muslim Judicial Council Halaal Trust has discontinued Clover’s halaal certification due to the company’s links with Israel, which is part of the Trust’s stance on BDS. From the start of August, none of Clover’s products have received a halaal certification, and from the beginning of 2024, they will cease to certify Clover as halaal. This landmark decision might signal future changes in the branded food and beverage sector and highlights the influence of geopolitical conflicts on international business activities.
Muslim Judicial Council Halaal Trust has discontinued Clover’s halaal certification due to the company’s links with Israel. The Trust had set a nine-month timeframe to withdraw their logos from Clover’s products. From the beginning of 2024, they will cease to certify Clover as halaal. This decision is part of the Trust’s stance on BDS, which was the catalyst for the move. Clover was taken over by an Israeli beverage corporation-led consortium, Milco, in 2019. This landmark decision by the Trust might signal future changes in the branded food and beverage sector.
Discontinuation of Halaal Certification for Clover
In a remarkable move, the Muslim Judicial Council Halaal Trust has voiced its opposition to the ongoing violence in Gaza and the products and services provided by Israel. A significant development from the start of August is that the renowned food and beverage conglomerate, Clover, will no longer possess a halaal certification. The Trust revealed that from the dawn of the year, none of Clover’s products have received a halaal certification, however, items bearing the logo will remain in circulation until August.
Moulana Zakariyah Philander, the Trust’s Chief Operations Officer, engaged in a conversation with the Weekend Argus about the consequential decision. Philander expressed that the decision was far from being spur-of-the-moment. The Trust had set aside a nine-month timeframe to gradually withdraw their logos from Clover’s products.
Stance on Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS)
In a public announcement, the Trust stated that from the beginning of 2024, they would cease to certify Clover as halaal. Clover was taken over by an Israeli beverage corporation-led consortium, Milco, comprising the Central Bottling Company, back in 2019. This takeover accentuated the Trust’s policy position on BDS, which was the catalyst for the decision.
Philander disclosed that they already had a list of product logos awaiting removal. He repeated, “A very distinct statement was issued at that time”, to ascertain that the Trust’s stance was crystal clear. This procedure was initiated during the renewal of contracts for the upcoming year.
Discussions were held with Clover’s executives, and a consensus was reached on the step-by-step removal of the logos. Philander asserted that they had to consider this policy as a crucial part of their work procedures. “The company that found itself directly in the crossfire of this process was Clover, as it falls squarely within the purview of what the policy addresses”, he further elaborated.
Clover is anticipated to react to this development in the foreseeable future.
Historical Context and Potential Impact on Branded Food and Beverage Industry
Roots of this decision can be traced back to October 2023 when a lethal attack on Israel by Palestinian political faction Hamas led to a counter-attack by the Israel Defence Forces. This incident resulted in the tragic loss of nearly 35,000 Palestinian lives. In retaliation, the Trust proclaimed that they would cease to certify any merchandise or services tied to Israel and would blacklist Israeli businesses.
Rewinding a decade, the Trust had approved new Clover products following inquiries and apprehensions about their absence of the halaal logo. An exhaustive investigation into the gelatine content of Clover’s fresh creams raised a few questions, but it was eventually affirmed that the product had received certification.
This landmark decision by the Trust signifies a considerable shift in policy and might signal future changes in the branded food and beverage sector. It brings to the fore the influence of geopolitical conflicts on international business activities and underlines the necessity for businesses to acclimatize and function within these complicated dynamics.
What is the Muslim Judicial Council Halaal Trust?
The Muslim Judicial Council Halaal Trust is an organization that provides certification for halaal food and beverages in South Africa. They ensure that products meet the strict Islamic dietary requirements and are suitable for consumption by Muslims.
Why has the Trust discontinued Clover’s halaal certification?
The Trust has discontinued Clover’s halaal certification due to the company’s links with Israel. They have taken a stance on boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) and have decided to withdraw their logos from Clover’s products gradually over a nine-month timeframe. Ultimately, from the beginning of 2024, they will cease to certify Clover as halaal.
How has Clover responded to this decision?
Clover has not yet responded to this decision, but it is anticipated that they will react to this development in the foreseeable future.
What is the historical context behind this decision?
The roots of this decision can be traced back to a lethal attack on Israel by Palestinian political faction Hamas in October 2023, which led to a counter-attack by the Israel Defence Forces resulting in the tragic loss of nearly 35,000 Palestinian lives. In retaliation, the Trust proclaimed that they would cease to certify any merchandise or services tied to Israel and would blacklist Israeli businesses.
What impact might this decision have on the branded food and beverage industry?
This landmark decision by the Trust signifies a considerable shift in policy and might signal future changes in the branded food and beverage sector. It brings to the fore the influence of geopolitical conflicts on international business activities and underlines the necessity for businesses to acclimatize and function within these complicated dynamics.
What is halaal certification and why is it important?
Halaal certification ensures that products meet the strict Islamic dietary requirements and are suitable for consumption by Muslims. It is important to Muslims who follow a halaal diet and choose to consume only halaal-certified food and beverages.
