Public Relations [mailto:pro-kzn@sanha.org.za]
Sent: 18 November 2010 12:16 PM
To: 'Teneshia Naidoo'
Subject: Cottage cheese ,the ingredient for divorce

Dear Teneshia,

A labelling error occurred when our Halaal logo was appended on a ham flavoured cottage cheese by a SANHA certified supplier. The error occurred on the part of the printer during the switch over to the new labelling by the recently certified plant. They had not realised that the logo had to be omitted on the ham flavoured item.

The ham flavour is technically free from any non Halal raw materials which renders it compliant with Halal dietary requirement. It does not contain any pork. However due to the pork connotation Sanha does not allow the use of its logo in these instances. Given the Islamic position on pork and the aversion to it by the community, it is unthinkable to even contemplate that we would approve any products with such offensive connotation. We have explained this principle on numerous talk shows and in articles one of which we have reproduced below.

The error was acknowledged by the plant, an apology was tendered and action has been taken to cover the logos. Some 40,000 tubs went out in the market place. Fortunately muslims do not seek out products, purchase and consume those with a Haraam connotation. Also with this being a perishable item with short a shelf life, we envisage it disappearing off the shelves with relative swiftness. Consumers were notified via our website, our electronic newsletters and on Radio Islam and our member organisations.

We had not heard of the incident prior to reading  the Majlis?s ludicrous allegation, nor been contacted by the couple mentioned. We are very keen to get  to the bottom of the story and establish its authenticity and veracity. None of our associate organisations in PE have heard of this incident bar the report in the Majlis. We are mystified as to why the lady would deviate from her usual pattern to wilfully purchase and feed her husband the product with the offensive connotation and why the husband took the action that he did? This indeed, if true is unIslamic, unacceptable and fuels the false notion that this kind of extremism is inherent and compatible with Islam itself.

We also find it too much of a coincidence that this incident is reported by the Majlis whose proprietor is Molvi AS Desai who in his capacity as the Chairman of the Scholars of the Truth has brought a court action against SANHA on poultry slaughter and has been vilifying us and many mainstream Islamic institutions such as Islamic Radio Stations, Islamic banks, Islamic Schools. Halaal certifying bodies etc.

Kind regards,

Yours sincerely

For South African National Halaal Authority

EBI Lockhat
Public Relations Officer

Tel: +27 (31) 207 5768
Fax: +27 (31) 207 5793
Website: www.sanha.org.za