Islamic law prohibits Muslims from eating pork. Now, a Muslim in Dearborn, Michigan, has filed a $100 million lawsuit against Little Ceasars Pizza, saying he was served and unknowingly consumed pizza with pork pepperoni topping despite his halal pepperoni order.
The suit, filed before Wayne County Circuit Court on Thursday, May 25, by Mohamad Bazzi, stated that the pizza the plaintiff ordered on March 20 was labeled “halal,” meaning it meets Islamic food consumption standards.
It claimed that the restaurant violated the “Wayne County Halal and Kosher Anti-Fraud and Truth-In-Labeling Ordinance.”
Case Details
“They have no regard for people’s religious beliefs. This is a violation of the Muslim faith,” said attorney Majed Moughni, who represents Bazzi in the case naming Little Caesars Pizza, Little Caesar Enterprises Inc., a manager identified as Denise, as well as two unnamed personnel as defendants.
Moughni hit the “billion dollar corporation” for “mislabeling” pork as halal, saying it cannot get away with such act. He cited the “Halal Pepperoni” sign displayed in the store’s window, leading diners to believe that their halal pizzas contain no park.
According to the 32-year-old complainant, he received pizza with pork, upon ordering halal pepperoni, during two separate incidents in March and May. Court documents revealed that Bazzi and his wife said they fell ill after realizing they had eaten pork.
“Plaintiff bring[s] this action as the public has a right to know about this fraud that is being perpetrated in Dearborn, Michigan, the community with the highest concentrations of Muslims in North America,” the lawsuit read in part, as obtained by CBS Detroit.
Bazzi filed a complaint at the police department on March 23. A month later, he returned to the same restaurant to place another order for a halal pepperoni pizza, documenting his purchase and taking photos of the box sticker stating “halal.”
Court documents stated further that Bazzi returned to the store and inquired with the manager about the pizza. The manager allegedly admitted it was pork, not halal, but claimed later on that Bazzi only received the pizza he ordered.
Without Merit?
For “irreparable harm” caused to Bazzi and thousands of other customers who ordered halal pizzas, the suit is seeking $100 million in damages.
A spokesperson from Little Caesars believes the claim lacks merit.
“Little Caesars cherishes our customers from all religions and cultures, and the communities we serve are very important to us,” said Jill Proctor in a statement, refusing to comment further on ongoing litigation.
Moughni said that since they filed the case, he heard that another Muslim customer is concerned about receiving pork pepperoni. He dubbed those customers “unknowingly assaulted” by the store’s employees.
Bazzi’s wife converted from Catholic to Islam and had regularly consumed pork previously, assuring she is familiar with its taste.
Halal requires meat preparations that abide by Islamic guidelines, including reciting a prayer while the animal is butchered. It is the equivalent of kosher in Judaism, and Halal pepperoni is usually made using beef.
The lawsuit was filed on the eve of the important Muslim holiday Ramadan, where Muslims fast every day from dawn until sunset for 30 days. The attorney feared other Muslims may order a pizza as they break their fasts.
