The British supermarket chain, which has a number of branches in the UAE, will change the name of its own-brand kaffir lime leaves, owing to the name's racist connotations. Wikicommons
The British supermarket chain, which has a number of branches in the UAE, will change the name of its own-brand kaffir lime leaves, owing to the name's racist connotations. Wikicommons
The British supermarket chain, which has a number of branches in the UAE, will change the name of its own-brand kaffir lime leaves, owing to the name's racist connotations. Wikicommons
The British supermarket chain, which has a number of branches in the UAE, will change the name of its own-brand kaffir lime leaves, owing to the name's racist connotations. Wikicommons

Waitrose to rename its Kaffir Lime Leaves after complaints that name is linked to racial slur


Farah Andrews
  • English
  • Arabic

British supermarket chain Waitrose has announced it will rename its Cooks' Ingredients Kaffir Lime Leaves as the name has racist connotations.

The word kaffir is a racial slur that was used in South Africa during the apartheid regime.

The Oxford English Dictionary also defines the term as "a very offensive word for a black African".

The name will be changed to Makrut Lime Leaves.

"This name change is a crucial step in recognising how important it is for us to listen to customers and educate ourselves when it comes to the language we use," said Helena Dennis, Waitrose grocery trading manager.

"While some of our customers may be unaware of the connotations of this particular word, it's important to us that we avoid offending anyone who shops with us."

The name will be changed on product labels, branded recipe cards, in future editions of cookbooks and other company literature.

Waitrose's Cooks' Ingredients Kaffir Lime Leaves will be renamed Makrut Lime Leaves, owing to racist connotations of the word 'kaffir'. Courtesy Waitrose
Waitrose's Cooks' Ingredients Kaffir Lime Leaves will be renamed Makrut Lime Leaves, owing to racist connotations of the word 'kaffir'. Courtesy Waitrose

"It is changes like this that ensure we are moving forward," said Dennis. "We need industry-wide support on this, and encourage other retailers to do the same in order to make a difference on a widespread, national scale."

The citric ingredient is commonly used in Cambodian, Indonesian and Thai recipes for soups and curries.

It is known botanically as citrus hystrix. It is native to Sri Lanka, Mauritius, South-East Asia and southern China, and is also known as makrut or Thai lime.

The commonly used name kaffir lime is believed to be a reference to the Sri Lankan Kaffir ethnic group. The term is derived from the Arabic word kafir, which means someone who does not believe in God; it was historically applied to Sub-Saharan Africans who did not practise Islam.

From there, the word was adopted as a racist insult for South Africa's indigenous population.

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

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The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021

Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.

Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.

Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.

Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.

Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.

Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.

Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”

Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI. 

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The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Haircare resolutions 2021

From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.

1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'

You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.

2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'

Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.

3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’

Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets