Introduction:
The Jewish religion incorporates within its tenets a regimen of dietary laws. These laws determine which food is acceptable and in conformity with Jewish Law. The word kosher is an adaptation of the Hebrew word meaning fit or proper. It refers to foodstuffs that meet the dietary requirements of Jewish Law. Though an ancillary hygienic benefit has been attributed to the observance of kosher, the ultimate purpose and rationale is to conform to the Divine Will, as expressed in the Torah (The Jewish Bible).
Not too long ago, most food products were made in the family kitchen. It was relatively easy to ascertain if the product was reliably kosher. Today, industrialization, transcontinental shipping and mass production have created a situation where most of the foods we eat are treated, processed, cooked, canned or boxed commercially in industrial settings, which can be located hundreds or thousands of miles away from home. Unless a person is an expert in food production, the average consumer cannot possibly make an evaluation of the kosher status, which is why it is important that a trained Rabbi (Jewish scholar and teacher) who understands these dietary laws supervises the manufacturing of these products and endorse them. We extend this valuable service to the consumers under its K-IND Kosher brand.
Background:
The barometer of kosher and non-kosher depends on two variables: the source of the ingredients and the status of the production equipment. Kosher certification, which is the guarantee that the food meets kosher requirements, revolves around these two criteria.
1. Source of the ingredients: The Ingredient Source is based on detailed traditions from the Torah (The Jewish Bible).
2. Equipment used to manufacture products containing non-kosher ingredients may acquire non-kosher status. Thus, production that takes place after non-kosher production is completed can be rendered non-kosher by virtue of the equipment used, even if the ingredients are kosher.
3. Non-kosher equipment can be restored to a kosher mode by a variety of ways, usually depending upon the way in which the non-kosher product was produced. This process is referred to as Kosherization.
Hence, we guide the Kosher manufacturer to use the right raw material and set frameworks at the manufacturing units to produce the end products in a Kosher environment.
Criteria for compliance by our Clients
There are Four Primary Steps to Kosher Certification:
- Establishing a listing of kosher ingredients that are acceptable for use in a product that it is to be certified. This list is known as approved ingredient list. We carefully review and research all ingredient. In light of this requirement it is necessary for a company to:
Give a detailed list of raw materials and finished products.
Inform us if there are any additional products manufactured or there is any change or modification regarding raw materials during the period of certification.
Make available all information about the procurement of raw materials or any information related to the certified products.
- Establishing the list of authorized products -brand names and specific products that will be selected to bear the K-IND Kosher symbol. It indicates whether a product must bear a symbol indicating that it is Pareve, i.e., containing no meat or milk ingredients), a “D” (dairy), or a “P” (Kosher for use on Passover- a Jewish festival). In light of this requirement it is necessary for a company to use the same brand names and products and keep us informed of any change.
- Establishing any special instructions called Kosher Framework that relate to the use of equipment, which is necessary if a plant engages in both kosher and non-kosher production, or both dairy and pareve production. These instructions may contain kosherization requirements, and/or stipulations for segregation of production lines. Hence the company authorizes K-IND to supervise and audit and follow all these stipulations throughout the period of certification.
- Assigning a Rabbinic Field Representative to visit the certified plant at intermittent intervals, to verify that the approved ingredient list, authorized products and Kosher Framework are adhered to.
Expectations from Clients:
Kosher certified clients are expected to follow a very high standard of production with integrity and honesty. The approved ingredient lists should be religiously adhered to for all purchases and permission requested if any change has to be made in the same. They are expected not to change their manufacturing processes or initiate new products in the facility which is under supervision without our consent even for markets that do not require Kosher. At all times the Kosher Framework has to be adhered to. On termination of this certification the client will need to obliterate the K-IND Kosher symbol from their labels and discontinue the use of this symbol in any advertising.
Achievement:
Following K-IND Kosher framework allows the clients to receive our Kosher Symbol which guarantees the consumer that the product they are buying is manufactured Kosher and hence is of a high standard and they are following the traditional requirements of Jewish law and keeping the Divine Will.