In case you thought the mehadrin hechsher market in Israel was a bit crowded, a new, and a potentially big, player today announced it is joining the field.

It is also big news, and somewhat surprising, as he seems to be direct competition for his own family.

Rav Dovid Yosef, one of the sons of Rav Ovadia Yosef and member of the [Shas] Council of Sages, has announced that he is opening a new kashrut certifying organization under the name Yechave Daas. Rav Dovid Yosef explained that there is a noticeable shortage and lack of kashrut organizations that follow the rulings of Rav Ovadia Yosef, using his chumras and his many hiddurim..

That is very strange, as the Badatz Beit Yosef hechsher, which is very popular, was started by the Yosef family. So, not only is Yechave Daas competing directly with the Beit Yosef hechsher of his own family, but he is saying that the Beit Yosef hechsher, founded and operated by the Yosef family does not follow the rulings of the father, Rav Ovadia Yosef.

The new hechsher will begin operating in the meat and chicken industries with the intention of expanding into the food production and restaurant markets at a later stage.

In addition to the chumras and things to be careful about in the areas of checking the leg sinews, splitting the wings, checking the lungs, and others, Yechave Daas will concentrate on  Rav Ovadia's stringencies and care regarding the checking of knives and the quality of the shochtim, both in their expertise and in ensuring they are God fearing Jews.
source: Kikar

If you thought we already have so many hechshers that each tries to be a little more machmir than the other, Yechave Daas is joining the fray, all because the others aren't using the right chumras.

Competition is good. It makes everyone better, in pricing and in quality of what they offer.