French Prime Minister Francois Fillon criticizes Kosher slaughter. Photo: Marie-Lan Nguyen

French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said religions should “reflect” on outdated culinary traditions, specifically criticizing the ritual slaughter of animals for kosher meat.

Subsequently, Fillon made plans to meet with Jewish leaders in an effort to dispel concerns about those comments, which he made on French radio. He assured Jewish leaders that he was not targeting their religion, The Associated Press reported.

The ritual slaughter issue has entered the French national spotlight in advance of the country’s presidential elections next month. On top of its Jewish community, France is home to more than 5 million Muslims, who also slaughter animals according to the Halal tradition.