Dozer Man

AN OPEN LETTER TO TILLAMOOK @Tillamook, I have purchased and enjoyed your products for years, which is why I was extremely disappointed to learn that the majority of your cheeses are now Halal certified. As a Christian, I have deeply held religious convictions about the food I purchase and bring into my home. I respect that Muslim consumers may want Halal-certified products available to them, and I have absolutely no objection to grocery stores carrying Halal products or having dedicated Halal sections. People should be able to purchase food that aligns with their religious beliefs. But my faith matters too. Because of my Christian convictions, I will not knowingly consume food that I believe has been prayed over, blessed in the name of another faith, or offered or sacrificed in connection with worship of any god other than the Lord and Savior I believe in. I should have the same freedom to make that choice. When a major mainstream brand chooses to place religious certification across a large portion of its regular product line, my choice becomes whether to accept that certification or stop purchasing those products. For me, the answer is simple. I will choose another brand. I would encourage Tillamook to consider consumers of other faiths when making decisions like this and to make religious certification clear and transparent so every customer can make an informed choice according to his or her own conscience. AND THIS IS ALSO A MESSAGE TO EVERY OTHER MAJOR FOOD BRAND WATCHING THIS TREND: If you choose to put Halal certification across your regular product lines rather than offering Halal-certified alternatives, understand that some Christian consumers will respond by no longer purchasing those products. If you put it across your entire brand, I WILL BOYCOTT the entire brand. I also encourage major grocery stores to consider dedicated Halal sections, just as they have Kosher and international sections, rather than integrating Halal-certified products throughout the store. Give everyone a clear choice. Muslim consumers have the right to choose Halal. Christian consumers have the right to choose not to. That choice deserves respect too!