Consumers boycott Aussie brands

For the past few weeks, tensions between consumers and humble brands have bubbled over, with the past few days reaching breaking point. Cadbury is the latest target in a long line of products being ditched by Australians. No, not because they’re on a health kick, but because some in our society are concerned about the Halal certification on the label.

Yesterday the Cadbury Dairy Milk Facebook page was inundated by angry commenters who slammed the chocolate company for their Halal contribution.

Here are what the consumers are saying, in defensive of their refusal to buy any more Cadbury products:

• “Dear Cadbury Dairy Milk, this is my chocolate purchase for the fortnight, traditionally it would ALL be Cadbury, as it has been for many MANY years. But due to Cadbury being Halal Certified, Lindt will have my business from here on in”
• “It’s not racist, no Religion / Ideology is a race”
• “It’s about having things forced upon us, against our will. I want to be informed about what I buy. I don’t want to support ANY Religion / Ideology, as I don’t believe in it”
• “Cadbury off my shopping list now too!”
• “I trusted you and now you betrayed me”

Others were appalled by what was said and failed to see the connection between Halal certification and how that affects their chocolate buying decisions:

• “Chocolate is chocolate! So stupid how people make such a big deal over things like this. Some adults are worse than children!”
• “Boycotting vegetables as well. Can’t stand those pesky vegans forcing me to eat stuff that’s got no meat in it just cos they don’t eat meat. It’s an outrage”

Other Aussie brands were attacked last week, including Four’N Twenty, Anzac biscuits and Vegemite. There is also a Facebook page called ‘Boycott Halal in Australia’ with over 20,000 followers who do not want to fund Islamic expansion and terrorism, which is what they’re claiming Australian brands are doing.

Is this overkill and unnecessary? Or should we be boycotting these brands? Which side are you on?