Nov 8, 2015
kashrut alert at Osher Ad
in the most recent Rabbanut kashrut newsletter a warning is released regarding imported products at Osher Ad.
The warning regarding imported products found in Osher Ad is that they have not been granted any kashrut approval/confirmation by the Rabbanut, as per the law.
Examples referenced in the alert are Kirkland brand dried plums that bear the OU certification but nothing from the Rabbanut. Another example is General Mills brand granola bars and other snacks that bear both the OU certification as well as Badatz Agudas Yisrael, but no Rabbanut.
This is another example of the question that arises - when you know a product is kosher and you are familiar with, and trust, the originating hechsher (OU, in this case), does the fact that it does not bear the Rabbanut certification make it not kosher or not reliable?
Of course not, but the law requiring Rabbanut on imported products is to protect people who don't know the originating hechsher on any given product, and to protect from kashrut fraud.
Osher Ad should definitely go through the proper channels and obtain the necessary approvals and certifications. If they don't just because some of their clientele are familiar with their imports and find it unnecessary, then others won't as well in situations where it is perhaps more necessary. But once it has already been done, I don't think this make sit "not kosher". If you trust the original hechsher that is on the package, you can continue to do so even though OA didn't get the necessary approvals...
The warning regarding imported products found in Osher Ad is that they have not been granted any kashrut approval/confirmation by the Rabbanut, as per the law.
Examples referenced in the alert are Kirkland brand dried plums that bear the OU certification but nothing from the Rabbanut. Another example is General Mills brand granola bars and other snacks that bear both the OU certification as well as Badatz Agudas Yisrael, but no Rabbanut.
This is another example of the question that arises - when you know a product is kosher and you are familiar with, and trust, the originating hechsher (OU, in this case), does the fact that it does not bear the Rabbanut certification make it not kosher or not reliable?
Of course not, but the law requiring Rabbanut on imported products is to protect people who don't know the originating hechsher on any given product, and to protect from kashrut fraud.
Osher Ad should definitely go through the proper channels and obtain the necessary approvals and certifications. If they don't just because some of their clientele are familiar with their imports and find it unnecessary, then others won't as well in situations where it is perhaps more necessary. But once it has already been done, I don't think this make sit "not kosher". If you trust the original hechsher that is on the package, you can continue to do so even though OA didn't get the necessary approvals...
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If they do wind up going through the proper channels, it will probably make their prices go up.
ReplyDeletenot accurate at all. could be a mere technicality.
DeleteI don't know anything about the specific products at Osher Ad, but the Rabbanut has different standards from the OU.
ReplyDeleteFor example, I believe that the Rabbanut says that Chadash is forbidden for all products CONSUMED in Israel, even if grown outside of Israel. The OU certifies products with Chadash, however these products would not be considered kosher in Israel according to the Rabbanut's standard.
The Rabbanut also has a different policy on other Halachic issues from the OU (e.g., Chalav Stam)
When the Rabbanbut approves an imported product that has a different kashrut authorization, it is confirming that this particular product conforms to its standards.
I support the Rabanut for recertifying each product, even for OU.
ReplyDelete