Fact Check

Whole Foods Supports Hamas?

Whole Foods has removed Israeli products from its shelves and replaced them with Muslim-approved products?

Published Aug. 19, 2011

Claim:

Claim:   Whole Foods has removed Israeli products from its shelves and replaced them with Muslim-approved products.


FALSE


Example:   [Collected via e-mail, August 2011]


One of the reasons muslims tend to exaggerate their numbers (no one really knows how many there are in this country, legally and illegally) is to be able to exert more influence in government and commerce. Marketing giant Whole Foods has swallowed islam's numbers campaign hook, line, and sinker. Whole Foods not only supports the Hamas terror training schools, it removes Israeli products and replaces them with those "approved" by the Arab-muslim occupiers of Israel's historic lands. If you support Israel; if you oppose terrorism; if you believe in free enterprise
TAKE YOUR BUSINESS ELSEWHERE.
They issue great-sounding PR statements saying one thing; a quick look at their actions proves the reverse.
Whole Foods may be hallal for the Arab-muslims who wish to kill Jews, but it is strictly TRAIF for all Jews who wish to survive.
(I know from experience that Trader Joe, which carries similar products, rejected attempts by Arab boycotters to remove Israeli products from their shelves; their prices are also MUCH better!) AVOID WHOLE FOODS AT ALL COSTS! Is this true?


 

Origins:   The Anti-Defamation League (an international organization that "fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects civil rights for all") investigated this rumor and noted in a 4 August 2011 press release that it sprang from a misunderstanding regarding Whole Foods' promotion of halal goods around Muslim holidays:



The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has found no evidence to claims by some bloggers on the Internet that Whole Foods Market is "anti-Israel."

In particular, some have specifically criticized a Whole Foods seasonal promotion around halal foods that meet the company's high quality standards. Such criticism is misguided, inappropriate and contrary to American values. We live in a multicultural, multi-ethnic and multi-faith society.

Just as Whole Foods provides prepared food, recipes, and specialty items (including products imported from Israel) to Jewish customers for Passover and other holiday observances, it is entirely fitting for them to do the same for customers marking Muslim, Hindu and other religious festivals.


In a further 26 August 2011 press release, the ADL stated:



Whole Foods Assures ADL: We Do Not Boycott Israel

New York, NY, August 26, 2011 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today welcomed assurances from Whole Foods Market that the company does not engage in boycotts of products from Israel or any other country.

"Whole Foods Market has made it unequivocally clear that it has not and will not engage in boycotts against the state of Israel," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "In fact they continue to carry a number of Israeli products, and have assured us that they do so with pride."

The League reached out to Whole Foods in response to a rumor circulating on the Internet suggesting that Whole Foods was engaged in a boycott of the Jewish State and had refused to stock products originating from Israel.

That rumor, perpetuated by online bloggers, turned out to be an urban legend.

While product availability varies greatly among its stores, which are decentralized into 12 operating regions across the country, the Whole Foods chain proudly carries a number of products from Israel. In fact, the company said that the rumor about its supposed anti-Israel stance began circulating on the Internet at the same time as some of Whole Food's buyers were on a sourcing trip to Israel.

In a letter to ADL, Jim Speirs, Global Vice President of Procurement for Whole Foods Market, wrote that, "The rumor that Whole Foods Market has boycotted products from Israel is absolutely not true. We have never boycotted products from Israel or from any other country for that matter. Whole Foods Market is discerning when it comes to quality and taste, not country of origin. We are proud to carry great-tasting products that meet our high quality standards from countries around the world, including Israel."

"We will certainly continue to source products from Israel, so we thank you for helping us to clear up this false rumor," he added.


Last updated:   27 August 2011

David Mikkelson founded the site now known as snopes.com back in 1994.

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