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The Muslim holy month of Ramadan has begun across the world. Over the next month, those observing the fast will abstain from eating and drinking from dawn until dusk, a period lasting between 12 to 16 hours depending on their location. To maintain their energy and nourishment, many Muslims rely on dates, a traditional and vital food during this sacred period. Dates, esteemed as a Sunnah food in Islam and reflective of the practices of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), are highly valued for their ability to restore strength and hydration.
Due to Gaza genocidal war, Muslims around the world calling for boycott of the Israeli products. Israeli dates are produced on settlements built on Palestinian land, and purchasing from such companies indirectly supports Israeli incursions into Palestinian territories.
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Social activist Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Jr. recently pointed out the presence of Israeli Medjool dates in Karachi’s supermarkets during Ramadan. While Medjool dates originally come from Morocco and are also grown in Palestine, Jordan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, Israel remains the leading exporter of this variety.
Mr Bhutto Jr urged his fellow countrymen to ascertain the brand before buying dates lest they end up with Israeli products.
How to check if the product is made in Israel
Barcodes can provide some information about a product, including the country where the manufacturer is based. The first three digits of a barcode, known as the GS1 prefix, indicate the country where the manufacturer’s business is registered.
A barcode number starting with “729” indicates that the barcode was allocated by the Israeli branch of GS1. To ensure the boycott is effectively enforced, one method is to verify whether the packets have been repackaged to hide the original brand.
