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 this seeming to be a common myth nothing to do with food being blessed by the rabbi or not.

2. What are the general rules of Kashrus?

Although the details of kashrus 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 animals that may be eaten, the birds and mammals must be killed in accordance
      with Jewish law.  
  3.  All blood must be drained from the meat or broiled out of it before it is eaten.
  4.  Certain parts of permitted animals may not be eaten.
  5.   Meat (the flesh of birds and mammals) cannot be eaten with dairy.
        Fish, 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.
       Utensils that have come into contact with non-kosher food may not be used with kosher food.
       This applies only where the contact occurred while the food was hot.

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 worry are fruits and vegetables, 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 tinned or frozen) should be supervised and have a "kosher" label affixed.

4. What is Kosher supervision?

Kosher supervision means that a qualified Kashrus 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 asks for logistical information about your company and you 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 are already kosher.

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

The visits from qualified rabbinic field representative to your plant would vary, depending on the complications of the production process. It could be from once every six month 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 the Kosher label. Jews, Muslims, Seventh day Adventists and vegetarians. In addition, many health conscious consumers seek Kosher products because they view the Kosher symbol as a sign of quality.

• Private label companies who prefer to distribute Kosher products which are more marketable. They will seek out manufacturers who are supervised Kosher.

• Supermarkets give preference to Kosher products.
• Food manufacturers who are certified Kosher and only purchase Kosher approved ingredients.