McDonald’s Settles Alleged Halal Fraud Lawsuit

McDonald’s Corp. and a franchisee that owns a Dearborn, Michigan, restaurant
which purported to sell halal chicken products have agreed to settle
complaints that some of the products sold to consumers were not prepared
according to Islamic law. Ahmed v. Finley’s Mgmt. Co., No. 11-014559-CZ
(Wayne Cty. Cir. Ct., Mich., hearing held January 18, 2013). While denying
any liability, the defendants will post notices about the settlement in two area
restaurants, at area mosques and in several other locations. The settlement
amount is $700,000, including attorney’s fees and an incentive award for the
plaintiff. The net proceeds will be distributed to a health clinic and to the Arab
American National Museum in Dearborn. According to plaintiff’s counsel,
“McDonald’s from the very beginning stepped up and took this case very
seriously. They made it clear they wanted to resolve this. They got ahead of
the problem.” See The Washington Post, January 21, 2013.