News and Articles
New Zealand, located in the South west of the Pacific Ocean is known for many things. Among them the national symbol of New Zealand the Kiwi bird, known for its shrill sound. New Zealand Dairy and Butter, with its high butter fat content. Not to forget Manuka Honey, a native of New Zealand.
Recently Manuka Health, a honey producer located in Te Awamutu, New Zealand gained Kosher Certification through Kosher Check. Manuka Health is a leading producer of Manuka Honey in New Zealand who distributes its Manuka Honey throughout North America and around the world. Manuka Honey is produced from the nectar of the Manuka Tree. The Honey is commonly used as an Alternative Medicine and studies have shown that it has Anti-Bacterial properties. Manuka Health recently moved into a new Production Facility in New Zealand and wanted a globally accepted Kosher Certification to assist them as they export their product.
Over the past decade the demand for Kosher Certification has increased dramatically. The Kosher market has been growing at an annual rate of 15% for the past several years and products bearing Kosher Certification continue to outsell both Organic and All Natural. Many leading New Zealand manufacturers have already gained Kosher Certification such as Fonterra, New Zealand King Salmon Co and Manuka Health. Today many uncertified companies in New Zealand and around the world are turning to Kosher Check to assist them in their Kosher Certification needs.
Kosher Check is a globally accepted Kosher Certification, providing Kosher Certification on five continents to food manufacturers such as Manuka Health, Merck Pharmaceuticals, Kerry Foods, Kemin Bioscience, Post Food Group, Scoular Company to name a few. Gaining Kosher Certification through Kosher Check can help increase sales as well as potential private label business.
With Passover just around the corner, the Kosher Check 2016 Passover Guide is now here. Copies are also available from local Kosher Stores and Synagogues. As always we are here to answer your questions.
Please be advised that House of Brussels Mini Hedgehogs and Carnaby Sweet Solid Milk Chocolate Tree contain dairy (Not Cholov Yisroel) ingredients as listed on the ingredient panel but the dairy designation has been inadvertently omitted. Corrective actions have been implemented.
Vietnam, the largest producer of Cashews in the World annually produces a quarter of the world’s cashew crop. Vietnam is also the World’s largest producer of Black Pepper and second largest exporter of Rice and Coffee.
Maybe not so well known as Vietnamese Cashews are the Tropical Fruits grown in Vietnam. The Hot Tropical Climate and abundant rainfall in Vietnam are ideal growing conditions for a variety of fruit which, are among the most diverse to be found anywhere. The most common fruit found in Vietnam includes Coconut, Banana, Pineapple, Mango, Guava, Durian, Mangosteen and Dragon Fruit to name a few. In northern Vietnam and central highland areas, where the temperature is cooler with four separate seasons, farmers also grow temperate fruits such as apple, strawberry, cherry, grape, peach, or pear, making the collection of fruits in Vietnam an extremely rich one. As demand for these products continues to increase, more and more Fruit Juice, Canned Fruit, Dried Fruit and Fruit Puree producers in Vietnam will continue to turn to Kosher Certification to assist them in opening new markets.
Over the past decade the demand for Kosher Certification has increased dramatically. The Kosher market has been growing at an annual rate of 15% for the past several years and products bearing Kosher Certification continue to outsell both Organic and All Natural. In order to keep up with demand and as Companies in North America and Europe look to new sources of Ingredients, they increasingly turn to Asian countries such as Vietnam for new sources.
Recently Tien Giang Vegetables and Fruit Stock Company, located in Tien Giang Province gained Kosher Certification through Kosher Check. Tien Giang Vegetables and Fruit Stock Company, is a leading producer of Canned Fruits, Vegetables, Frozen Fruit, Concentrates and Purees. They wanted to be able to export product around the world and needed a Kosher Certification like Kosher Check that is Globally Accepted. As Food exports continue to increase in Vietnam, many Vietnamese food manufacturers are now turning to agencies such as Kosher Check to assist them in gaining Kosher Certification.
Kosher Check is a globally accepted Kosher Certification, providing Kosher supervision on five continents to food manufacturers such as Merck Pharmaceuticals, Kerry Foods, Kemin Bioscience, Golden Boy Foods, Scoular Company to name a few. Gaining Kosher Certification through Kosher Check can help increase sales as well as potential private label business.
Please be advised that Dan-D-Pak Swiss Breakfast Muesli contain dairy (Not Cholov Yisroel) ingredients as listed on the ingredient panel but the dairy designation has been inadvertently omitted. Corrective actions have been implemented. Consumers finding this product are asked to contact BC Kosher at (604) 731-1803 or by email info@bckosher.org.
The Coconut, rich in protein has long been a staple of Philippine cooking. The Philippines is the second largest producer of Coconuts in the World. Coconuts account for over 25% of agricultural produce in the Philippines. The Coconut Tree is often referred to as the Tree of Life because of the endless list of products and by-products derived from it, such as its meat, oil, shell and trunk. Over the last several years Coconut products such as Coconut Milk, Coconut Oil, Coconut Flour and Coconut Water have become very popular in North America and Europe. Mainly due to the health benefits associated with Coconuts and Coconut by-products such as it being high in dietary fiber and its low glycemic index.
This has lead many manufacturers of Coconut Products in the Philippines to seek Kosher Certification. Recently Andy Albao Enterprises a leading Coconut producer in the Philippines achieved Kosher Certification through Kosher Check. Andy Albao Enterprises commenced operations in 2007. Recently Andy Albao Enterprises expanded their processing facility in the Philippines and immediately decided to gain Kosher Certification through Kosher Check, in order to meet customer demands. In addition to producing Coconut Oil, Coconut Milk and Desiccated Coconut, Andy Albao also produces a variety of Cacao products and spreads. Andy Albao sells product around the world to customers in Australia, the UK, as well as throughout North America. It was because of customer demand that Andy Albao decided to gain Kosher Certification. As more and more food manufacturers in the Philippines look to increase sales and export to North America, Europe and beyond, many are turning to Kosher Certification to assist them in opening new doors.
Kosher Check is a globally accepted Kosher Certification, providing Kosher supervision on five continents to food manufacturers such as Kerry Foods, Kemin Bioscience, Merck, Legumex Walker to name a few. Kosher Check has proudly provided Kosher Certification to food manufacturers in the Philippines for over twenty-five years. Gaining Kosher Certification through Kosher Check can help increase sales as well as potential private label business.
Please be advised that effective immediately MLA Industries of Kanpur, UP, India is no longer certified by the Orthodox Rabbinical Council of British Columbia (Kosher Check).
Ceylon Cinnamon, called Cinnamomum Zaylanicum originates from the Island of Sri Lanka (Formerly Ceylon) and has been a staple of Sri Lankan cooking for centuries. The sweet and spicy taste of Cinnamon has been used for medicinal purposes for the last two thousand years. Ceylon Cinnamon has been more researched for medicinal purposes than any other variety of Cinnamon. It has proven to help kill or slow down the growth of bacteria, can help treat viral or fungal infections and is a proven anti-oxidant. Sri Lanka is the forth largest producer of Cinnamon around and world. Sri Lanka also produces 80%-90% of the total Cinnamomum Zaylanicum variety produced worldwide.
Due to its varied uses and applications, many manufacturers of Cinnamon Products in Sri Lanka have turned to Kosher Certification. Recently G.P. De Silva and Sons a leading producer in Sri Lanka achieved Kosher Certification through Kosher Check. Mr. G.P. De Silva started to trade in Cinnamon in 1942, over the years he grew and expanded his operations. Over the next 70 years G.P De Silva and Sons expanded their business and started shipping Cinnamon and other spices to many countries around the world. Recently they expanded their operation to include Cinnamon Oil. Within a short time of gaining Kosher Certification, G.P De Silva has noticed a difference. As more and more Sri Lankan food manufacturers look to increase sales and export to North America, Europe and beyond, many are turning to Kosher Certification to assist them in opening new doors.
Kosher Check is a globally accepted Kosher Certification, providing Kosher supervision on five continents to food manufacturers such as Kerry Foods, Kemin Bioscience, Merck, Legumex Walker to name a few. Gaining Kosher Certification through Kosher Check can help increase sales as well as potential private label business.
Habibi’s, a leading all natural hummus manufacturer based in British Columbia recently gained Kosher Certification through Kosher Check. Habibi’s has grown tremendously over the past few years and now sell their range of dips from Vancouver Island to Toronto. Habibi’s wanted a Kosher Certification that was recognized throughout Canada and the US. Because of this they chose Kosher Check as their Kosher Certification of choice.
Over the past decade the demand for Kosher Certification has increased dramatically. The Kosher market has been growing at an annual rate of 15% for the past several years and products bearing Kosher Certification continue to outsell both Organic and All Natural.
Habibi’s products can be purchased at leading food retailers including, Whole foods, Save On Foods, IGA, Choices.
Kosher Check is a globally accepted Kosher Certification, providing Kosher supervision on five continents to food manufacturers such as Merck, Kerry Foods, Kemin Bioscience, Golden Boy Foods, Legumex Walker to name a few. Gaining Kosher Certification through Kosher Check can help increase sales as well as potential private label business.
India has the World's second largest population, third largest economy and is the World's second largest producer of food next to China. AC Nielsen recently named India as a hotspot for food manufacturers, food producers and food ingredient professionals and the country is now becoming an integral part of the global food ingredient network. India is the World’s largest producer of Bananas, Mangoes, Guavas, Mangosteens and Papayas. Not to mention spices such as chillies and dried peppers. India is also the Worlds second largest producer of Rice, Sugar Cane, Tea, Cashews and such staples as Onions and Potatoes. Given this trend, India has become one of the most important destinations for food investment, with the food industry growing at an annual rate of 17%. As demand continues to increase, more and more food manufacturers in India continue to turn to Kosher Certification to assist them in opening new markets.
Recently Fruzyme Biotech located in the southern state of Tamil Nadu rgained Kosher Certification through Kosher Check. Fruzyme Biotech, a leading producer of Papain, Papain Enzyme and related products wanted to be able to export product around the world and needed a Kosher Certification like Kosher Check that is Globally Accepted. As Food exports continue to increase in India, many Indian food manufacturers like Fruyzme are now turning to agencies such as Kosher Check to assist them in gaining Kosher Certification.
Kosher Check is a globally accepted Kosher Certification, providing Kosher supervision on five continents to food manufacturers such as Merck Pharmaceuticals, Kerry Foods, Kemin Bioscience, Golden Boy Foods, Legumex Walker to name a few. Gaining Kosher Certification through Kosher Check can help increase sales as well as potential private label business.
3 Seasons Fruit Company, a leading manufacturer of Freeze Dried fruits located in Chonburi province of Thailand recently gained Kosher Certification through Kosher Check. As a leading Thai exporter of Freeze Dried Fruits, they saw the benefit of gaining Kosher Certification through Kosher Check.
Over the past decade the demand for Kosher Certification has increased dramatically. The Kosher market has been growing at an annual rate of 15% for the past several years and products bearing Kosher Certification continue to outsell both Organic and All Natural. In order to keep up with demand and as Companies in North America and Europe look to new sources of Ingredients, they increasingly turn to Asian countries such as Thailand for new sources.
Thailand grown tropical fruits have become legendary the world over. Their fragrances, ripe colours and succulent flavours have rightfully contributed to Thailand’s reputation as one of the world's major culinary hotspots. The Hot Tropical Climate and abundant rainfall in Thailand are ideal growing conditions for a variety of fruit which, are among the most diverse to be found anywhere. The most common fruit found in Thailand include Coconut, Banana, Pineapple, Mango, Guava, Durian, Mangosteen and Dragon Fruit to name a few. As demand for these products continues to increase, more and more Dried Fruit, Fruit Juice, Canned Fruit and Fruit Puree producers in Thailand continue to turn to Kosher Certification to assist them in opening new markets.
Kosher Check is a globally accepted Kosher Certification, providing Kosher supervision on five continents to food manufacturers such as Merck, Kerry Foods, Kemin Bioscience, Golden Boy Foods, Legumex Walker to name a few. Gaining Kosher Certification through Kosher Check can help increase sales as well as potential private label business.
Hidden on a small farm South of Lethbridge Alberta, two young brothers J.R and Dawson Wikkerink have built a company that is fast becoming one of Western Canada’s fastest growing Non-Dairy Ice Cream Brands. It started back in 2010, Joseph had already joined the Wikkerink family from his native Haiti and was settling into family life in Southern Alberta. Meanwhile his brother David was still stuck in Haiti when the earthquake struck. Forced from his home to live in a tent and while homeless developed cholera.
Meanwhile back in Lethbridge, J.R. had recently celebrated his birthday and was given an Ice Cream Maker as a gift. J.R. had started making Coconut Milk Ice Cream for his younger brother Dawson who was lactose Intolerant. He started using coconut milk because it gave a rich texture and mainly because it was not an allergen. J.R. was convinced that there must be something he could do to help his adopted brother David in Haiti who was still at the orphanage. “I wanted to do something to help the orphanage” says J.R. He used the money from the profits he raised to send money back to Joseph and David’s orphanage. Today Screamin Brothers donates 5% of their net profit to various children’s charities including BC’S Children’s Hospital.
Initially J.R. and Dawson started selling to family and friends, then they started selling at the local Farmers market, where they sold out every time they bought their frozen treats. With a shortage of Dairy free Ice Cream J.R. and Dawson heard many comments about how much a product like theirs is needed in the marketplace. They moved from a small ice cream maker to a larger ice cream maker to keep up with demand. This was Dawson’s idea “to make it bigger so we can help more children” Within a short space of time Grocery stores were asking if they could carry it.
The increase in production has created challenges for the Wikkerink family farm in southern Alberta. What used to be a beef and poultry operation has become a Dairy Free Frozen Dessert plant, with parents Wayne and Ann Wikkerink taking on roles to assist the boys. When asked how did you come up with your name, the boys answer “because David and Joseph like to scream”
Today over 200 retail stores across Canada sell Screamin Brothers Dairy Free Desserts. They are available in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. Including leading supermarkets such as Coopers Market, Thrifty’s and Save on Foods.
To watch the boys presentation on Dragon's Den scroll to the 35 minute mark.
Kosher Check is a globally accepted Kosher Certification and provides Kosher Certification to companies throughout the Province of Alberta. Alberta is home to two of Canada’s largest cities – Calgary and Edmonton. With a continually expanding energy sector, a massive beef industry, and an important grain industry, Alberta is a national economic leader. Kosher Check can help assist companies tap into that explosive economic growth. Kosher Check provides Kosher Certification to leading manufacturers across the province including Bakemark Ingredients, Sunny Boy Foods, Lucerne Foods, Rock Ridge Dairy and Screamin Brothers.
AstaReal, one of the leading manufacturers of Astaxanthin recently gained Kosher Certification through Kosher Check for their manufacturing facility in Moses Lake, Washington State. AstaReal was the first company in the world to commercially produce natural Astaxanthin from Haematococcus Pluvialis (Micro Algae). Realising the advantages of gaining Kosher Certification, AstaReal gained Kosher Certification to better serve the needs of their pharmaceutical/ Health Supplement and food manufacturers.
Located in Washington State, one of America’s leading agricultural states, known for growing of Apples, Concord Grapes, Raspberries, Cherries and Asparagus. Kosher Check provides Kosher Certification to many companies located throughout Washington State, from Blaine and Lynden in the North to Moses Lake, the Yakima Valley and Walla Walla in the South.
Kosher Check is a globally accepted Kosher Certification, providing Kosher supervision on five continents to food manufacturers such as Merck Pharmaceuticals, Kerry Foods, Kemin Bioscience, Golden Boy Foods, Legumex Walker to name a few. Gaining Kosher Certification through Kosher Check can help increase sales as well as potential private label business.
Purdy’s Chocolates is a major Canadian Chocolatier, producing a line of premium chocolates including Truffles, Hazelnut Hedgehogs, Creams, Caramels, Filled Chocolates and more.
In the fall of 2013 Purdy’s Chocolates received the seal of approval from Kosher Check for their Chocolate Bars and Novelty line of Chocolate. After receiving many phone calls and enquiries from the Kosher Consumer regarding Purdy’s other Chocolate products. Kosher Check worked on a strategy with Purdy’s to make some of their premium chocolates such as their signature Hedgehogs Kosher certified. We are pleased to announce that today, many of the products for sale in Purdy’s Stores are Kosher Certified. We know the Kosher Certification of these products will be greeted with much excitement and will continue to work with Purdys on increasing their range of Kosher certified products.
Purdy's Chocolates are available for purchase through their vast network of stores located throughout Ontario including stores located in Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Hillcrest Shopping Centre in Richmond Hill and Vaughan Mills. In Edmonton at the West Edmonton Mall. In Calgary at the Southcentre Mall and Chinook Mall. In Vancouver at Oakridge Mall. For more information regarding store locations, please visit www.purdys.com
Kosher Check is a globally accepted Kosher Certification, providing Kosher supervision on five continents to food manufacturers such as Merck, Kerry Foods, Kemin Bioscience, Golden Boy Foods, Legumex Walker to name a few. Gaining Kosher Certification through Kosher Check can help increase sales as well as potential private label business.
Merck, one of the worlds most well known Pharmaceutical and Chemical companies recently gained Kosher Check Kosher Certification for their production facility in India. Realizing the demand for Kosher Certified products, and with demand coming from Customers based in North America, Europe and Australia, Merck wanted to be able to capitalize on this market.
Over the past decade the demand for Kosher Certified products has increased dramatically. The Kosher market has been growing at an annual rate of 15% for the past several years and kosher certified products continue to outsell both Organic and All Natural. In order to keep up with demand and as Food Manufacturers in North America and Europe looks to new sources of Ingredients, they increasingly turn to Asian countries such as India for new sources.
India has the World's second largest population, third largest economy and is the World's second largest producer of food next to China. AC Nielsen recently named India as a hotspot for food manufacturers, food producers and food ingredient professionals and the country is now becoming an integral part of the global food ingredient network. Given this trend, India has become one of the most important destinations for food investment, with the food industry growing at an annual rate of 17%. As Food exports continue to increase in India, many Indian food manufacturers are now turning to Kosher Certification to assist them in gaining new markets and increased sales.
Kosher Check is a globally accepted Kosher Certification, providing Kosher supervision on five continents to food manufacturers such as Merck, Kerry Foods, Kemin Bioscience, Golden Boy Foods, Legumex Walker to name a few. Gaining Kosher Certification through Kosher Check can help increase sales as well as potential private label business.
Please be advised that Yogurt Covered Pretzels and Granola sold by Inno Specialty Foods contain dairy (Not Cholov Yisroel) as indicated in the ingredient list but the dairy designation has been inadvertently omitted from the label. Corrective measures are being implemented and consumers finding this product are asked to contact Kosher Check at (604) 731-1803.
Coconuts and coconut products have been a staple of Sri Lankan cooking for centuries. Sri Lanka is the forth largest producer of Coconuts in the world. Coconuts account for over 10% of agricultural produce in Sri Lanka. Over the past several years Coconut products such as Coconut Water as well as Coconut Cream have become very popular in North America given the health benefits associated with coconuts and coconut by-products.
This has lead many manufacturers of Coconut Products in Sri Lanka to seek Kosher Certification. Recently Sanmik Foods a leading producer in Sri Lanka achieved Kosher Certification through Kosher Check. Sanmik Foods commenced operations in 2003 and started exporting products in 2007. Recently Sanmik expanded their processing facility and immediately decided to gain Kosher Certification, in order to meet customer demands. In addition to producing Coconut Oil, Coconut Milk and Dessicated Coconut, Sanmik also produces a variety of Dried Fruit and spices. Within a short time of gaining Kosher Certification, Sanmik has noticed a difference. As more and more Sri Lankan food manufacturers look to increase sales and export to North America, Europe and beyond, many are turning to Kosher Certification to assist them in opening new doors.
Kosher Check is a globally accepted Kosher Certification, providing Kosher supervision on five continents to food manufacturers such as Kerry Foods, Kemin Bioscience, Golden Boy Foods, Legumex Walker to name a few. Gaining Kosher Certification through Kosher Check can help increase sales as well as potential private label business.
Recently, I have received many emails and phone calls regarding the Kosher Status of Frozen Yoghurt and Ice Cream Stores in Vancouver. At present there are no Kosher Certified Ice Cream/ Frozen Yogurt stores, however there are some that claim to be Kosher.
Since these establishments are not certified and there is no Mashgiach visiting the store on a regular basis there can be many issues. Typically the store will purchase a prepared Ice Cream or yogurt base. This base will contain various ingredients including, milk, milk powder, stabilizers, thickening agents, cultures and possibly other ingredients including gelatin. Once they receive this, they will mix it with a flavour. E.g. Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla etc. to make the final product. Flavours are very highly kosher sensitive items. Typically a flavour company that is Kosher Certified will employ a full time Mashgiach or have someone that will visit them 3-4 times a week. The reason for this is because they produce Kosher as well as non-kosher flavours. Natural flavours can be extracted from animals or plants and artificial flavours are extracted from chemicals and other ingredients. For many years we certified a flavour company in Greater Vancouver that produced kosher flavours as well as Non-Kosher flavours such as a Strawberry flavour from Cochineal (an insect) .
When you as a customer visit the store, it can be very reassuring that the staff hand you a thick binder showing you all of the Kosher Certificates for their ingredients. However unless you have a deep understanding of the halacha’s of kashrus and check each ingredient, you will not actually know if they are kosher or not. Because the store is not certified, they are not bound by any legal agreements or surprise inspections by a Mashgiach. The only word you have that the ingredients are kosher is that of the store attendant. In addition the Kosher Certificates that they showed you, may no longer be valid or they could have since changed to a non-kosher supplier.
There is also the concept of Maris Ayin. If someone sees a Frum Jew going into or purchasing something such as Ice Cream from an uncertified store, they may unknowingly feel that everything is kosher and decide to purchase an Ice Cream with non-Kosher toppings. Even if you as the customer find out that it is no longer kosher, the person who saw you there may unknowingly still be going assuming it is kosher because he saw you there.
The ideal situation would be to have a Kosher certified Ice Cream/ Frozen Yogurt store. Until that opportunity arises I recommend not patronising these establishments. If we continue to take our families there, they will have no reason to obtain Kosher Certification. I would also suggest giving feedback to the particular companies via letters, emails, facebook etc. suggesting that they get Kosher Certification.
Richard Wood
Kosher Check Kosher Certification
Brazil's largest exporter of Peanuts recently gained Kosher certification through Kosher Check. Coplana Cooperativa located in the Jaoboticabal region of North-East SĂŁo Paulo state, with ideal growing conditions for nuts, has helped the company increase its market share to the number one exporter of peanuts in Brazil over the past few years. Many companies in Brazil are now taking advantage of Kosher Certification to help them gain access to new markets such as North America where one third of food manufacturers already have Kosher Certification.
Brazil is the Worlds fifth largest country and the worlds largest producer of Coffee, Sugar and Orange Juice Concentrate. Second largest producer of Soy Beans and third largest producer of Corn. As many food manufacturers in Brazil are looking to export in increasing numbers, many of them are now turning to Kosher certification to help them do so.
Kosher Check is a globally accepted Kosher Certification, providing Kosher supervision on five continents to food manufacturers such as Kerry Foods, Kemin Bioscience, Golden Boy Foods, Legumex Walker to name a few. Gaining Kosher Certification through Kosher Check can help increase sales as well as potential private label business.
STEM is a leading Egyptian company which cultivates and exports herbs and Spices. The company is quite distinguished with the privilege of having its roots down to 1950s; where the owners had been granted the advantage of being cultivators having their own apt lands for cultivating herbs, spices and other agricultural products.
Today Stem sells product around the World. This recently lead them to contact Kosher Check. A Globally recognized Kosher Certification Agency to take care of their Kosher needs.
Mentha & Allied Products Limited, popularly known as "Mentha" is one of the India's oldest and largest Natural Menthol, Essential Oils and Aromatic Chemicals manufacturers. Ever since it came into being, the Company has emphasized the best-in-quality products. Realising the demand of Kosher Certified Products. Recently Mentha Chose Kosher Check as its choice of Kosher Certification.
India is the largest producer and exporter of Menthol Oil in the world. Over 70% of the world's mint is grown in India. Today many Menthol Oil and Essential Oil Manufacturers in India are turning to Kosher Certification to assist them in opening new markets. Menthol Oil and its derivatives and commonly sought by manufacturers of Chewing Gum, Peppermints, lozanges, toothpaste as well as in use by many of the large industrial flavour houses. Today food manufacturers in North America turn to suppliers in other parts of the world including Asia and Europe. In turn these manufacturers are now turning to Kosher Agencies such as Kosher Check to assist them with their Kosher Certification needs.
Over the past decade the demand for Kosher Certified products has increased dramatically. The Kosher market has been growing at an annual rate of 15% for the past several years and kosher certified products continue to outsell both Organic and All Natural. In order to keep up with demand and as Food Manufacturers in North America and Europe looks to new sources of Ingredients, they increasingly turn to Asian countries such as India for new sources.
India has the World's second largest population, third largest economy and is the World's second largest producer of food next to China. AC Nielsen recently named India as a hotspot for food manufacturers, food producers and food ingredient professionals and the country is now becoming an integral part of the global food ingredient network. Given this trend, India has become one of the most important destinations for food investment, with the food industry growing at an annual rate of 17%. As Food exports continue to increase in India, many Indian food manufacturers are now turning to Kosher Certification to assist them in gaining new markets and increased sales.
As a part of this trend Kasyap Sweetners, India's largest producer of Sorbitol recently turned to Kosher Check to gain an internationally recognized and accepted Kosher Certification.
Catalyst Development and their brand of Gnubees natural fruit drinks recently gained Kosher Check certification. Catalyst Development is a manufacturer of Pouched beverages. For more information please visit www.catalystdevelopment.ca
On Tuesday January 7th, Rabbi Mendy and Steve Burton creator of Icicle Food Safety Technology ran a joint webinar. They discussed the relationship between Kosher certification and HACCP-based food safety. Giving a background on both and demonstrating how both can be managed on the same platform using the Icicle food safety technology developed by Burton Software Inc.
Everything’s kosher as certified foods move into the mainstream
A reputation for careful production and inspection has driven popularity of food that meets Jewish dietary laws
BY JENNY LEE, VANCOUVER SUN NOVEMBER 26, 2013
Take a little non-profit agency run by an innovative orthodox rabbi — in no way a contradiction in terms — and you get Kosher Check, a Vancouver kosher certification agency that sends rabbinical inspectors as far away as India and China.
“Companies want to get kosher certification because it makes their products easier to sell,” Kosher Check business manager Richard Wood said.
“The majority of people today buy kosher products not because they are Jewish but because they are vegans or vegetarians or celiacs or lactose intolerant,” Wood said. “They could be Muslims or Seventh Day Adventists.”
The primary reason North Americans buy kosher is for its reputation for more careful production and inspection, market research firm Mintel said. In response to the market perception, Kosher Check will now require adherence to advanced food safety protocols such as Canada’s Hazard Awareness Critical Control Points (HACCP). It already requires food manufacturers to meet Canadian Food Inspection Agency minimum standards.
Kosher Check certifies food as having been prepared according to Jewish dietary laws and labels foods as dairy, a meat product or dairy free (pareve).
Certain animals, fowl and fish (such as pork, rabbit, catfish, shellfish and most insects) are not kosher, and even kosher species must be slaughtered and prepared in a prescribed manner. Dairy products must come from kosher animals. Meat and milk may not be combined, and ingredients within a kosher product must be kosher. Fruit and vegetables are kosher, but must be inspected and certified that they are not contaminated by anything non-kosher, such as insects.
Eighty per cent of global kosher sales are outside traditional Jewish markets, Wood said. “Kosher outpaces organic, natural and gluten (free) and continues to be the market leader in North America,” he said.
Only 14 per cent of U.S. consumers buying kosher foods do so because they adhere to Jewish dietary laws, according to Mintel. In addition, 10 per cent of consumers buying kosher foods do so because they follow other religions with similar dietary rules.
India and China have become prime customers for the Vancouver non-profit agency as food manufacturers increasingly seek more affordable, Asian-produced ingredients such as dehydrated onion powder, menthol oil, guar gum and glucose, Wood said.
Kosher Check certifies 14,000 products of which 2,000 are manufactured and certified in Asia.
“Seventy per cent of the world’s mint comes from India. The mint in your toothpaste probably comes from India,” Wood said.
He also recently sent a rabbi to Tanzania and Mozambique to examine cashews.
“Quite often I will refer to (the rabbis) as inspectors, as in many countries they have no idea what a Jew is or what is a rabbi,” Wood said.
Kosher Check, then known as B.C. Kosher, has been certifying manufacturers since 1983 and operating in Asia since 1985, when Rabbi Avraham Feigelstock, the organization’s originator and supervising rabbi, identified an opportunity. Although the service had been available in Vancouver, Rabbi Feigelstock greatly expanded the scale.
Historically, the rabbi in each community would certify the local butcher and baker, but as food manufacturing grew more sophisticated, the Jewish community began to create certification agencies to cope with the intricacies involved. Heinz was one of the first manufacturers to be certified kosher back in the 1920s. In 1935, Rabbi Tobias Gessen in Altanta, Ga., famously certified Coca-Cola as kosher. More than two-thirds of food manufactured in North America is certified kosher.
Kosher Check, an offshoot of the Orthodox Rabbinical Council of B.C., is the only kosher certification agency in Canada that operates internationally, thanks to Rabbi Feigelstock’s entrepreneurial mind, and it is the largest agency east of Ontario.
Vancouver has a Jewish population of just 26,000 compared to 189,000 in Toronto and 91,000 in Montreal and not all people who identify themselves as Jewish buy kosher food. Nevertheless, Kosher Check is probably among the top 10 kosher certification agencies in North America, Wood said.
Most agencies are non-profit or run as an extension of a synagogue. There are about 1,000 kosher certification bodies worldwide.
Kosher Check’s 500 customers include local heavyweights Canada Safeway, Rogers Sugar, Garden Protein, Golden Boy Foods and Sunrise Soya. It employs 20 rabbis worldwide to supervise kosher food production and operates across Canada, in 13 U.S. states, and in Chile, China, India, Japan, the Philippines, South Africa and Vietnam.
Inspectors arrive unannounced.
“People say we come more often than the Canada Food Inspection Agency,” Wood said. “At the moment, there’s a shortage of coconut product from the Philippines. One of our manufacturers in Coquitlam wanted someone in Sri Lanka certified.”
Kosher certification can get quite complex. Meat must be ritually slaughtered to minimize pain to the animal, separate utensils must be used for meat and dairy, and manufacturing equipment may need to be purged at specified high temperatures.
Kosher Check is now looking to expand its reach in Asia. Toronto and Montreal’s kosher certification agencies have the advantage of being located in major food manufacturing hubs and do much of their work locally.
“We want to become more of a global agency and in order to do that we have to go further afield,” Wood said. Kosher Check is ideally located to work in China and India, the first and second largest food producers in the world, Wood said. The organization’s primary goal is to increase the supply of kosher food for the kosher consumer, he said.
“With the federal government making these free trade agreements with countries like Vietnam, it only encourages food manufacturers there to become kosher certified and we want to be part of that action,” Wood said.
The U.S. kosher food market was worth $12.5 billion US in 2008, a 64 per cent increase from five years earlier, Mintel said. Kosher food sales in Canada are estimated at $500 million, Wood said.
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