The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) strongly rejects the misleading and unsupported allegation circulating on social media that Al-Amin (Coles Products) have been cross-contaminated with pork or other non-halal products at Establishment 705.
ANIC is a peak body representing more than 400 imams across Australia and operates ANIC Halal Authority, which was established nearly ten years ago.
We uphold the highest standards of Islamic values and ethos and regard halal integrity as a fundamental standard that we will never compromise in any way, shape or form.
The Establishment 705, mentioned on social media, is a large, well-established processing facility accommodating both halal and non-halal operations.
Its halal processing operation is physically separate, sealed and fully isolated from all non-halal processing. The halal processing operation has it’s own dedicated machinery, processing equipment, lines, cooling facility, processes, employees during processing and a stringent halal policy in place approved by ANIC.
ANIC confirms that it’s inspectors have audited the halal operation through announced and more importantly un-announced surprise audits and found no evidence of cross-contamination with pork or other non-halal products or any breakdown in halal policy and handling mechanisms in place.
ANIC Halal Authority has confidently certified the halal products produced within that operation and stands firmly behind its certification of the halal products produced within that operation that facilitates halal products for Muslims around the country wether local or regional through Coles.
The presence of halal and non-halal operations within the same large facility, or products bearing the same establishment number, does not in itself demonstrate cross-contamination or the use of the same lines or machinery.
ANIC Halal Authority does not and will not certify or permit cross-contamination with pork or other non-halal products in operations it certifies and would not knowingly certify practices involving such contamination.
ANIC is disappointed that individuals and organisations have issued public statements without first contacting ANIC to clarify the matter. ANIC confirms that none of the relevant parties sought clarification from ANIC before circulating misleading and damaging claims in the community.
ANIC takes community concerns seriously and remains committed to protecting the halal certification integrity, Muslim consumers’ confidence and the interests of the Muslim community, without compromising Islamic values or ANIC’s integrity.
We urge the Muslim community to verify information before sharing misleading information or allegations and to remain vigilant about what they consume, including checking certification details and seeking clarification from the relevant certifying bodies.
