Adidas Faces $15,000 Fine for Failing to Label Pigskin in Sneakers

Turkey imposes fine due to Adidas not disclosing pigskin use in its product description

Adidas, the renowned German sportswear brand, has recently been hit with $15,000 fine by the Turkish government for failing to accurately label its footwear. The issue arose after Adidas did not clearly specify that pigskin was used in its popular "Samba OG" sneaker model, instead listing it only as "genuine leather."

According to reports from AFP on February 13, Turkey's advertising regulatory body issued the fine because of the failure to disclose that pigskin was an ingredient in the shoes. This omission was found to be in violation of Turkish regulations that mandate transparency, especially when it comes to materials that may conflict with the religious sensitivities of the country’s majority population. Turkey, with over 90% of its population identifying as Muslim, has strict guidelines regarding the use of pig-related products, especially given that pigs and their byproducts are considered taboo in Islam.

The Turkish government clarified that, in accordance with its advertising laws, any product that contains materials contradictory to the beliefs of the public, especially in terms of religious sensitivities, must have this information disclosed in a clear and prominent manner. In 2020, Turkey's religious affairs office made it clear that it would not allow the use of pigskin or pig hair in products like footwear and clothing.

Turkey’s Directorate of Religious Affairs further explained that most Islamic scholars believe pigskin, even if processed or treated through various methods, cannot be purified in a way that makes it acceptable under Islamic law.

In response to the ruling, Adidas made changes to its product listing by updating the information on its website to reflect the use of pigskin in the Samba OG sneakers. This correction follows the legal action taken against the company in Turkey. The brand now complies with local regulations by clearly specifying the materials used in its products, ensuring customers are fully informed about the contents of the shoes they purchase.

This incident highlights the importance of adhering to regional laws and cultural sensitivities, especially for global brands like Adidas that operate in diverse markets around the world.