Turkey fines manufacturers using pigskin to make shoes without indication

The Turkish Ministry of Trade is fining several well-known shoe manufacturers for failing to indicate the use of pigskin.

The advertising council of the Turkish Ministry of Trade has imposed fines on manufacturers Vans, Camper and New Balance for allegedly neglecting to specify pigskin in their product information, local media report.

However, the information about the use of pigskin was reportedly available on the brands’ internationally oriented websites.

The manufacturers initially did not respond to enquiries.

A fine of approximately $46,000 was reportedly imposed on the sportswear manufacturer New Balance, while the sports shoe manufacturer Vans was fined around $23,000.

Turkey is a predominantly Muslim country.

In Islam, pigs are considered impure, and many practising Muslims also avoid pigskin. 

(dpa/NAN)