ABC Rural: An inquiry into halal certification is not warranted but could be useful in eradicating myths, says Australia’s leading body for packaged food. Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) is presenting at a Senate inquiry, which began today, exploring third party certification schemes, including organic, kosher and genetically modified products.

But the inquiry, which was prompted by Senator Cory Bernardi, has come to be known as the “halal inquiry”. He described certification fees as a “religious tax” and wanted to know how much consumers were paying when they bought certified products. Further, he wanted to know where money paid for certification ended up, alleging overseas schemes had been linked to extremist organisations.

But AFGC chief executive Gary Dawson said much of the concern around halal certification were based on misinformation.

Click here to read the full article from ABC Rural.