ABOUT BC KOSHER

BCK is a not-for-profit kosher agency servicing the domestic and international industries, recognized by all rabbinical associations throughout the world.

GOING KOSHER

The process for certifying your products involves a fast yet comprehensive series of procedures which are designed to be quick and efficient...

BCK ONLINE

BCK Online (Digital Kosher) makes the kosher certification process paperless, efficient and secure.

 

How to Become Kosher

How to Become Kosher Certified

Do you want to learn how to become kosher certified? The process of going kosher is relatively simple. The first step you have to take is to find the right kosher certification agency for your needs. If you’re a small local business, you can probably be supervised by the local rabbinical council, but otherwise, you’ll have to find a reputable kosher certification agency that is recognized at a national or international level. Interview several kosher certification agencies to weigh the pros and cons of each. Factors to consider when choosing a kosher certification agency include the level of acceptability of the certification, the level of service provided, the expertise offered, the terms of the agreement, and the fees.

Submit an Application

After you learn the basics about how to become kosher certified and choose a reputable kosher certification agency, you will need to fill out and submit their application. The company may have a form that you can fill out online or they may require you to mail in or send the form. In the application, you will be required to answer questions about your company, the products you want to have certified, and all of the raw ingredients you use. Typically, the kosher certification agency will assign a rabbi to handle your application and guide you through the certification process. The rabbi will analyze the ingredients you use to determine if there are any kosher concerns.

A Visit to Your Plant

After your application materials are reviewed, a qualified rabbi will visit your plant. You will typically be charged a processing fee and travel expense fee prior to the rabbi’s visit. During his visit, the rabbi will make sure that all of the information in your application is accurate. He will also conduct a thorough review and analysis of the ingredients, plant equipment, and manufacturing processes used. A rabbi who is highly familiar with the food industry and your particular industry will visit your plant during the inspection phase. The rabbi will then file a written report based on his observations.

Review of Report by Rabbinical Council

The final step consists of having your application and the rabbi’s report reviewed by the rabbinical council. After reviewing the materials, the rabbinical council will let you know whether or not your company will be granted a kosher certification. You may be required to make some modifications in order to receive the certification.

If it’s determined that you qualify for a kosher certification, the rabbi assigned to your case will draft a contract proposal that outlines all of the requirements of how to become kosher certified. If the terms of the contract are acceptable to you, you can sign the form and return it. A letter of certification will then be sent to you, authorizing your company to use the agency’s symbol on approved products. You must submit your new product labels carrying the kosher certification label for final approval, however.

Generally, a signed contract guarantees that a rabbinic field representative of the certification agency will make regular visits to your plant to ensure that your products, the ingredients you use, and your product labels remain in compliance with your signed agreement. Furthermore, no new ingredients may be used in your plant without the approval of the certification agency. If you use an ingredient without approval, your kosher certification could be compromised. Therefore, submit proposed ingredients to the certification agency right away so you can obtain kosher approval for them as soon as possible.