The company has taken the burger off the menu because Islamic dietary law forbids Muslims to eat anything which has been prepared on the same premises as pork, which is itself strictly forbidden.
It said it was responding to ‘increased demand’ for a halal menu in the areas of Britain with growing Muslim populations.
Mr Phillips said he found the change ‘extremely unfair’ on non-Muslim customers.
‘I can’t believe a chain like this has taken this stance,’ said Mr Phillips.
‘Staff told me that due to the dietary laws halal meat could not be prepared in the same place as other meats, so I couldn’t have my bacon.
‘It was like they were saying I couldn’t buy bacon because it might offend people.’
The story goes on to say that Phillips was directed to a KFC outlet five miles away, where he could buy his bacon sandwich. He said that was too far to go.
Longtime readers know that I’m quick to object to what I see as groveling accomodation to Islamic sensibilities, whether it’s petty examples of political correctness, or more serious matters, like keeping Geert Wilders from speaking in Parliament. But I don’t see anything wrong with this. To me, it’s an example of localism in action. This KFC outlet served a heavily Muslim population, so it made sense for them to accomodate Islamic dietary rules. If I were Phillips, I wouldn’t like it either, because it would inconvenience me, but I don’t think it’s at all indefensible, on KFC’s part.
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