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 FAQ

1. What is Kosher? What Makes foods Kosher?
2. What are the general rules of Kashrus?
3. What kind of food has to be kosher?
4. What is Kosher supervision?
5. How do I know if my product can be kosher?
6. How long does the kosher certification process take?
7. What is the financial advantage to a company to be certified as Kosher?

1. What is Kosher? What Makes foods Kosher?

Kosher in the Jewish religion means foods which are acceptable according to Jewish dietary laws. It is, despite a seeming common myth, kosher has nothing to do with food being blessed by a rabbi.

2. What are the general rules of Kosher?

Although the details of kosher are extensive, the laws all derive from a few simple, straightforward rules:

  1. Certain animals may not be eaten at all. This restriction includes the flesh, organs, eggs and milk of the forbidden animals.  
  2. Of the livestock that may be eaten, the fowls and mammals, which are deemed kosher, must be slaughtered in accordance with Jewish law.  
  3. All blood must be drained from the fowl or meat before it may be cooked.
  4. Certain parts of permitted animals may not be eaten or cooked. Etc.
  5. Meat (the flesh of fowls and mammals) cannot be eaten with dairy. Eggs, fruits, vegetables and grains can be eaten with either meat or dairy.
  6. Utensils that have come into contact with meat may not be used with dairy, and vice versa, unless sterilized under rabbinical supervision. Utensils that have come into contact with non-kosher food may not be used with kosher food, unless sterilized under rabbinical supervision.

3. What kind of food has to be kosher?

Almost every prepared food comes under the laws of kosher, since in its     preparation it might have had non kosher ingredients added, or have been prepared in utensils previously used for non kosher foods. The only foods that a Jew can eat without certification are fruits and vegetables (which may not be from Israel due to biblical laws), and even these have to be carefully checked for insect infestations. Eating insects is strictly forbidden. Bread, cheese, milk, almost every grocery item save for fruits and vegetables (fresh canned or frozen) should be supervised and have a "kosher" reliable kosher certification.

4. What is Kosher supervision?

Kosher supervision means that a qualified Kosher Organization supervises the production of a food item to insure that the product is prepared in accordance with kosher dietary law.

5. How do I know if my product can be kosher?

A Rabbinic coordinator will ask for important information about your company and your plant, as well as a list of the products you want certified, and their ingredients. Based on that he will be available to answer your questions, address your needs and guide you through the certification process.

6. How long does the kosher certification process take?

It all depends on the product you want to certify, in some instances it may take a short period of time since the ingredients may already be kosher.

How often does the Rabbi have to visit the company’s production plant? 

The visits from a qualified rabbinic field representative to your plant would vary, depending on the complications of the production process. It could be from once every six months to visits that are more frequent.

7. What is the financial advantage to a company to be certified as Kosher?

Kosher supervision opens many new marketing opportunities. These include:

  • Consumers who prefer Kosher, i.e., Jews, Muslims, Seventh day Adventists and vegans. In addition, many health conscious consumers seek Kosher products because they view the Kosher symbol as a sign of quality, sort of a good housekeeping seal of approval.
  • In addition, private label companies who prefer to distribute and sell Kosher products which are more marketable. They will seek out manufacturers who are supervised Kosher.
  • Supermarkets give preference to Kosher products.
  • Another advantage is that food manufacturers who are certified Kosher and only purchase Kosher approved ingredients, would need your product to be kosher certified.