“Fear God”: Algerian Consumer Protection Head Sounds Alarm over Potentially Non-Halal Merquez Sausages

✍️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Mustapha Zebdi denounces unethical practices among sausage producers, warning of religious and health risks due to imported intestines of unknown origin.

Algiers, Algeria | May 15th, 2025 —  The President of the Algerian Consumer Protection Organization, Mustapha Zebdi, has issued a stern and urgent warning to butchers and sausage manufacturers across the country, calling for both religious conscience and professional integrity in the production of the widely consumed merguez sausage.

In a strongly-worded statement, Zebdi implored producers to “fear God” and uphold their moral and religious responsibility by ensuring that consumers are clearly informed about the origin of the casings used in sausage preparation. The call comes amid rising concerns over the use of imported dried intestines, often brought into the country via informal and potentially illegal channels, commonly referred to as “kabka” (hand-carried smuggled goods).

Zebdi expressed grave concerns that many of these imported casings may not be derived from animals slaughtered in accordance with Islamic law, thereby rendering them non-halal. This practice, he warned, places millions of practicing Muslim consumers in a deep ethical and health dilemma, as they may unknowingly consume products that violate their religious principles.

According to Zebdi, the soaring demand for merguez in local markets has created a shortfall in domestically sourced intestines, typically extracted from sheep. This shortage has reportedly pushed many producers to rely on foreign alternatives, which are not always traceable or compliant with halal standards.

“The market appetite for merguez has grown to the point that our local supply of halal-certified casings can no longer meet demand,” he explained. “As a result, many have turned to imported intestines without ensuring proper sourcing or transparency.”

Zebdi concluded his statement with a powerful moral and religious appeal, urging producers to “fear God” (“Ittaqou Allah”) and bear their legal and spiritual responsibilities before the Algerian people. He emphasized the urgent need for transparency, particularly in declaring the origin of ingredients used in such mass-consumed food items.

“Producers must avoid falling into the sin of feeding people what is not halal,” he cautioned, highlighting the widespread nature of this malpractice and its potential implications on consumer trust, religious observance, and public health.

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