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'Pretzel Dog' Inspired Us To Rename These Brands And Other Random Things

Kittens are cuter than puppies anyway. :p

Cover image via SAYS

You've no doubt heard of the hoo-ha surrounding Auntie Anne's Pretzel Dogs by now, especially the part where the chain was denied a halal cert because the menu item contained the word "dog"

Auntie Anne's soon-to-be-renamed Pretzel Dog.

Image via Munch Punch

A QA-cum-halal executive working with the pretzel company recently revealed that the Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM) had told them to change the name of its Pretzel Dog to a more appropriate option, like 'Pretzel Sausage'.

JAKIM would later clarify that food vendors looking to apply for a halal cert should avoid using words like "ham", "bak kut teh", "bacon", "beer", "rum", "hotdog", "charsiew", and other words related to non-halal food items when naming their products, as they will "confuse Muslims".

In fact, some iconic food names have been quietly changed in the past few years to meet JAKIM's requirements, such as A&W's Coney Dog and Root Beer, which are now known as Chicken/Beef Coney and RB respectively

A&W's Root Beer has been renamed A&W RB on the menu boards.

Image via The Hive Asia

In addition, A&W's canned Root Beer is now known known as "Sarsaparilla", while F&N's Ginger Beer has been renamed "Ginger Ade".

While the restrictions are only enforced for food names in Malaysia, what will it be like if they were implemented on random stuff and everyday words? We tried out some alternatives:

1. Hush Puppies will not only rebrand themselves, the clothing brand will have to hire a new (and definitely cuter) mascot too

Image via SAYS

2. Sorry De Beers, but you gotta go with a name that better reflects your shiny, sparkly diamonds

Image via SAYS

3. The iconic '70s band Black Dog Bone gets a hip revamp for the 21st century

Image via SAYS

4. Almost every Malaysian kid has had - or wanted to have - a hamster for a pet, but it's time to bring them closer to their relatives with a new name

Image via SAYS

5. To eat, or not to eat, that is ALWAYS the question

Image via SAYS

6. For those with kids who are obsessed with the 'Mickey Mouse Clubhouse', there's always the 'Hebat' version of the super catchy Hot Dog song to fall back on

BONUS: In a total coincidence, Jay Chou has a song called 'Silence'... which translates to 'An Jing' in Mandarin. Just thought you should know.

On a more serious note, Auntie Anne's halal application was actually denied because of reasons more major than the Pretzel Dog:

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