Kosher Supervision

Contrary to popular belief, a rabbinic supervisor does not have to be present at all times during kosher supervision. Although it’s advantageous to have a rabbinic supervisor present at all times, it is not required. Certification can take place as long as a company’s production complies with strict standards and guidelines set forth by the kosher supervision agency. There are exceptions, however, such as the meat preparation process and the grape wine production process, both of which require kosher supervision from start to finish.

The Kosher Supervision Process

The first step of the kosher supervision process is filling out an application for the kosher agency, in which you will describe your company, specify which products you want to have certified, and provide a complete listing of the raw materials you use. After reviewing your application, a field representative of the kosher agency will schedule a visit to your facility. During the inspection phase of the kosher supervision process, a rabbi will visit your plant to tour your operation, ask questions, and file a written report. A rabbi is required for kosher supervision because rabbis are proficient in Jewish dietary laws and are trained to apply ancient kosher traditions to contemporary food production practices.

The kosher agency’s home office will review the rabbi’s report to determine whether your facility can be certified kosher. You may be required to make some modifications to your ingredients, systems, or technologies to qualify for the certification. The agency will then draft a contract that outlines the terms of your certification agreement. This contract will include a list of approved ingredients for your facility, as well as a list of the certified brands and products. If you agree to the terms in the contract, you can sign it and then a kosher certificate will be issued. As part of the kosher supervision process, your plant will be inspected on a periodic basis by a qualified rabbi to ensure that your company continues to comply with the agency’s standards.

Are All Kosher Supervision Companies the Same?

Standards and policies vary from one kosher supervision agency to another. For example, one company may not accept animal derivatives that have gone through significant chemical changes as kosher, while others will. In addition, some agencies only visit manufacturing facilities once a year, while others make the visits on a monthly basis. Another factor to consider is that some consumers only purchase kosher products that are certified by agencies they know and trust. Therefore, companies that are interested in undergoing the kosher supervision process ought to find an agency that is recognized and accepted by their customer base.