Kosher Certifications for Manufacturers
Do you need your bulk oil to be Kosher Certified? If so, you’re not alone. The Kosher Certificate is one of the most requested quality document, second only to the Certificate of Analysis.
Kosher certified foods are in high demand in today’s market. Some manufacturers also produce products that are “Certified Kosher for Passover”. So what’s the difference between these two certifications? Let’s start at the beginning...
What Does Kosher Mean?
"Kosher" is a Hebrew word that literally means "fit" or "proper." When used in relation to food products, "kosher" means that the item in question meets the dietary requirements of Jewish law¹.These requirements are set forward by the Jewish faith, and the dietary restrictions are followed year round.
Though the Kosher Laws are very complex, the basics of Kosher guidelines can be broken down into the following categories, with a few examples for each.
1. Permitted and prohibited food sources.
- Only those animals with cloven hooves and that chew their cud are allowed
- All shellfish is not permitted
- All rodents and insects are not permitted
2. Preparation of meat
- Meat must be slaughtered in accordance with Kosher Laws, which includes having a Rabbi on site to ensure that the highest standards of kashrus are maintained.
- Once meat has been properly slaughtered, it must undergo a process known askashering in order to drain it of blood, which the Torah prohibits for consumption³
3. Separation of meat and dairy
- Meat and dairy must not be eaten together
4. Kosher ingredients and utensils/equipment
- There must be no cross contamination between equipment and utensils that are used to process Kosher and non-Kosher food.
How is Kosher for Passover Different?
The Jewish holiday Passover has additional dietary restrictions. These include many foods acceptable for year round use, such as breads and pasta, which may not be eaten on Passover. Foods that are kosher for Passover, however, are always kosher for year-round use.² A separate certification for use during Passover is required, if that particular food fits within the Passover-friendly parameters.
Centra Foods Extra Virgin Olive Oil is certified Kosher for Passover and all other grades of olive oil and canola oil are certified Kosher for year-round use.
¹²³⁴Source: http://www.kof-k.org/