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What is Kosher Certification? 

KOSHER Certification is Jewish religious based product certification. Kosher Certification is primarily product certification for food product. Food Safety Certification KOSHER Certification for FOOD product is mainly pertaining to consumption practise followed by Jewish community of Israel.

KOSHER Certification is demanded majorly in US markets where Jewish populations is quite spread. KOSHER Certification is mandatory for food products exported to USA, Israel, EUROPE and other major markets where Jewish personnel spread.

KOSHER Certification aims at avoiding cross contamination of certain type food products such as Milk, Mean, Fish, Oil, Essential Oil etc.

There are various certification agencies operating in India and abroad providing assessment against KOSHER Certification criteria and Auditors are called Rabbi. To name a few Orthodox Union (OU), JK Kosher, OK Kosher, Stark. All these KOSHER Certification agencies are belonging to and approved by ISRAEL.

Product evaluated and approved for KOSHER Certification must bear K logo as Kosher Certification Symbol on food product. Kosher certification logo on product give confidence to specific consumers. 

KOSHER Certification being Food Product Certification all ingredients used to manufacture and sell retail food product must be KOSHER Certified. e.g. Sugar used in ICE CREAM. To certify ICE CREAM as Kosher Certified all ingredients including Sugar and other must be KOSHER Certified.

What is Kosher Food?

Kosher food is food prepared in accordance with Jewish Dietary Law.

While Jewish Dietary Laws originated in the Bible, they have been codified and interpreted over the centuries by rabbinical authorities. At their most basic, modern-day Jewish Dietary Laws state. Here are the Kosher basics, according to the Torah:

• To qualify as kosher, mammals must have split hooves, and chew their cud.
• Fish must have fins and removable scales to be considered kosher.
• Only certain birds are kosher. Generally speaking, they are birds that are non-predatory.
• This means pork, rabbit, eagle, owl, catfish, sturgeon, shellfish, and reptiles, among others, are non-kosher.
• Nearly all insects are non-kosher as well though, per the Talmud, there are a small number of kosher locust species.
• Kosher species of meat and fowl must be ritually slaughtered in a prescribed manner to be kosher.
• Meat and dairy products can not be cooked or consumed together.
• A kosher food that is processed or cooked together with a non-kosher food, or any derivative of non-kosher food, becomes non-kosher. For example, food coloring derived from shellfish and used in a cake makes the cake non-kosher.

Kosher foods fall into various categories such as pareve, dairy and animal products or meat.

Why People Keep Kosher? 

The laws of kosher define the foods that are fit for consumption for a Jewish person. This includes which animals are consumed, how food is prepared, and even how and when it is served.

There are a number of reasons you may observe a kosher lifestyle. The top 10 reasons stem from a religious basis and reflect traditions, family upbringing, and dietary observances that have spanned several millennia.

• You grew up doing it.
• Kosher – observant people can eat in your home
• Lactose Intolerance or Dairy Allergies
• High Food Production Supervision
• Concerns for Animal Welfare
•  Supports a vegetarian Lifestyle
• Good for Halal-Observant
• Preserve Traditional and Jewish identity
• Promote Mindfulness about food
• Religious Mandate

Furthermore, in recent times non-Jews have become more interested in kosher food. Muslims, who account for 16% of the $100 billion-a-year U.S. kosher market, may buy a kosher food product because it fits the Quran’s dietary laws of halal.

And people who are health-conscious may purchase something kosher because they believe it is healthier and safer as a result of the extra supervision. Various religious, cultural, health and quality reasons spark their interest in and color their definitions of kosher.

Kosher Certification Procedure:

Kosher Certification is a guarantee that food products and ingredients meet all kosher requirements. This certification also authorizes the manufacturer to display Kosher Logo on the product to advertise its kosher status.

The procedure for acquiring kosher certification is relatively simple.

• Upon receipt of your application, a representative of Kosher Certification team will evaluate your company’s ingredients and products.
• Then a contract will be drafted, detailing all the requirements and obligations of both parties. All kosher requirements, as well as a list of all your ingredients and products, will be enumerated.
• Furthermore, the contract will outline the correct emblem authorized for each product indicating each product’s Kosher status.
• A signed contract guarantees that regular visits will be made periodically by a Rabbinic field representative of the Kosher Certification Agency.
• The purpose of the Rabbi’s visit is to monitor compliance with the terms of the agreement by checking ingredients, products, labels, etc.
• After satisfactory audit, Kosher Certification issued with list of product.

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