What is a Kosher Certificate?
The document that proves that the food produced is prepared in accordance with the principles of Jewish belief is called the Kosher Document. This document shows that the food is of high quality, suitable for human health and reliable, in addition to religious rules. Food products that will be sent to Israel in particular must have a Kosher Document. The word Kosher means proper and complete in Hebrew. In our language, Sephardic Jews pronounce it as Kasher, while Ashkenazi Jews pronounce it as Kosher. The Kosher Document is similar in many ways to the halal document sought by Muslims.
In practice, for food items exported from our country to Israel, a document issued by the Chief Rabbinate in our country is sufficient. However, religious authorities must study and find permissible food items that are critical in terms of religion, such as meat and dairy products.
Kosher Certificate is not very common, but it is also sought in some textile products, cleaning and hygiene products and electrical household appliances in addition to food products. It is known that approximately one million Jews around the world live in accordance with Kosher criteria and consume food products with Kosher Certificate.
As in halal food certification studies, in Kosher certification studies, all inputs and auxiliary materials in food production must comply with Kosher criteria. Even the production line must comply with these criteria. Again, as in halal food practice, the production of all processed food products is monitored here.
Kosher Certification Process
In Kosher certification studies to be carried out by institutions with certification authority, it is essential that food producing companies conduct inspections in the production area. Companies must have documented their application processes as a basis for certification studies.
The most important point in the certification process is the method of the business to combat pests. Any living or non-living insect detected during the inspection work will cause the certification work to stop. This criterion is the basis of Kosher inspections and no tolerance is shown in this regard. In this regard, how the business combats pests is also an important point.
It is also an important criterion that the business starts production with a Jew or under the supervision of a Jew. Production work is considered blessed in this way.
Products with a Kosher Certificate must have a mark indicating this status. However, there is no common mark determined for the Kosher Certificate. The certification body generally uses a mark determined by itself.
During the Passover holiday, which is important for Jews, Jews do not consume doughy foods. In order to determine the suitability of food for Passover, additional inspections are carried out by the certification body to determine that flour and flour varieties are not present in the food produced.
Kosher certification studies in our country are carried out with the permission to be given by the Chief Rabbinate of Turkey. Carrying out the necessary inspections and issuing a Kosher Certificate is only subject to the authorization of the Chief Rabbinate. Food producing companies, food processing companies and companies producing compound food substances in our country can request a Kosher Certificate.
There are many benefits that businesses with a Kosher Certificate will gain. First of all, these businesses have an advantage over their competitors in the market. Thanks to the document, it is proven that religious rules, human health and the protection of nature are given importance in production activities. Consumers are now more conscious and prefer healthy and quality products. They especially stay away from animal additives.
The Kosher Certificate provides assurance not only to Jews but also to Muslims regarding food safety. Since it is ensured that pork products are not used in food production, Muslims use food products with a Kosher Certificate.
In European countries, the demand for Kosher certified products is increasing due to their high quality and health. Especially vegetarians, those with health problems and people with allergies prefer Kosher certified foods.