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Hot dogs may be an iconic food in American culture, but not every country is satisfied with the meal -- at least, not its name, anyway.

The Associated Press reports that the U.S. company Auntie Anne's, a fast food chain that sells a popular snack in Malasia called the Pretzel Dog, has been informed by the Islamic authorities that due to the confusing nature of the Pretzel Dog's name -- it doesn't actually contain dog meat -- the item has to be officially renamed.

The Malaysian Islamic Development Department isn't leaving the fast food chain high and dry though; it has helpfully suggested that they replace the word "dog" with the less confusing word "sausage," in order to clearly transmit what the frankfurter wrapped in a pretzel actually is.

"It is more appropriate to use the name Pretzel Sausage," Sirajuddin Suhaimee, the department halal director, said to local media.

Dogs are billed as unclean in Islam, and therefore not eligible to obtain halal certification; sausages, however, pass Islamic dietary laws.

Auntie Anne's is taking the request in stride, with Farhatul Kamilah, its halal executive, stating that not only will the chain comply with the new rules, it has already proposed several new names and is currently in the process of waiting for the Islamic department's ultimate approval. Another American representative of the U.S. chain agreed that changing the Pretzel Dog's name was a minor issue that didn't pose any issues.

Per the BBC, however, the Malaysian Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Aziz doesn't agree with the ruling, despite the chain's acquiescence.

"Hot dog is hot dog lah. Even in Malay it's called hot dog -- it's been around for so many years. I'm a Muslim and I'm not offended," Aziz told reporters.

"It comes from the English language. Please do not make us seem stupid and backward."

So what do YOU think? 

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Hot dogs may be an iconic food in American culture, but not every country is satisfied with the meal -- at least, not its name, anyway.

The Associated Press reports that the U.S. company Auntie Anne's, a fast food chain that sells a popular snack in Malasia called the Pretzel Dog, has been informed by the Islamic authorities that due to the confusing nature of the Pretzel Dog's name -- it doesn't actually contain dog meat -- the item has to be officially renamed.

The Malaysian Islamic Development Department isn't leaving the fast food chain high and dry though; it has helpfully suggested that they replace the word "dog" with the less confusing word "sausage," in order to clearly transmit what the frankfurter wrapped in a pretzel actually is.

"It is more appropriate to use the name Pretzel Sausage," Sirajuddin Suhaimee, the department halal director, said to local media.

Dogs are billed as unclean in Islam, and therefore not eligible to obtain halal certification; sausages, however, pass Islamic dietary laws.

Auntie Anne's is taking the request in stride, with Farhatul Kamilah, its halal executive, stating that not only will the chain comply with the new rules, it has already proposed several new names and is currently in the process of waiting for the Islamic department's ultimate approval. Another American representative of the U.S. chain agreed that changing the Pretzel Dog's name was a minor issue that didn't pose any issues.

Per the BBC, however, the Malaysian Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Aziz doesn't agree with the ruling, despite the chain's acquiescence.

"Hot dog is hot dog lah. Even in Malay it's called hot dog -- it's been around for so many years. I'm a Muslim and I'm not offended," Aziz told reporters.

"It comes from the English language. Please do not make us seem stupid and backward."

So what do YOU think? 

Hot Dogs Are Getting Renamed In Malaysia

Hot dogs may be an iconic food in American culture, but not every country is satisfied with the meal -- at least, not its name, anyway.

The Associated Press reports that the U.S. company Auntie Anne's, a fast food chain that sells a popular snack in Malasia called the Pretzel Dog, has been informed by the Islamic authorities that due to the confusing nature of the Pretzel Dog's name -- it doesn't actually contain dog meat -- the item has to be officially renamed.

The Malaysian Islamic Development Department isn't leaving the fast food chain high and dry though; it has helpfully suggested that they replace the word "dog" with the less confusing word "sausage," in order to clearly transmit what the frankfurter wrapped in a pretzel actually is.

"It is more appropriate to use the name Pretzel Sausage," Sirajuddin Suhaimee, the department halal director, said to local media.

Dogs are billed as unclean in Islam, and therefore not eligible to obtain halal certification; sausages, however, pass Islamic dietary laws.

Auntie Anne's is taking the request in stride, with Farhatul Kamilah, its halal executive, stating that not only will the chain comply with the new rules, it has already proposed several new names and is currently in the process of waiting for the Islamic department's ultimate approval. Another American representative of the U.S. chain agreed that changing the Pretzel Dog's name was a minor issue that didn't pose any issues.

Per the BBC, however, the Malaysian Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Aziz doesn't agree with the ruling, despite the chain's acquiescence.

"Hot dog is hot dog lah. Even in Malay it's called hot dog -- it's been around for so many years. I'm a Muslim and I'm not offended," Aziz told reporters.

"It comes from the English language. Please do not make us seem stupid and backward."

So what do YOU think?