What is Kosher Document?
The document proving that the foodstuff produced was prepared in accordance with Jewish belief principles is called Kosher Document. In addition to religious rules, this document shows that foodstuffs are of high quality, suitable for human health and reliable. In particular, food items to be sent to Israel must have a Kosher Certificate. The expression Kosher means appropriate and complete in the Hebrew language. In our language, Sephardic Jews are pronounced as Kosher and Ashkenazi Jews as Kosher. The Kosher Document is similar to the halal certificate sought by Muslims at many points.
It is estimated that there are an average of 14 million Jews in the world and about 40 percent of them live in Israel. In fact, the products to be sent to Israel are not legally required to carry the Kosher Certificate. The most sensitive foodstuffs, meat and dairy products in terms of Kosher Certificate in certification studies. However, since certification studies increase some cost, sometimes this document is not sought, only the companies producing these food products are trusted. In other words, the fact that foodstuffs are Kosher Certificate in today´s practice is preferred.
In practice, the document issued by the Chief Rabbi in our country is sufficient for the foodstuffs exported our country to Israel. However, religious authorities, especially meat and dairy products, should find permissible food items by religious studies.
It is observed that Kosher Certificate is also sought in some textile products, cleaning and hygiene products and electrical household vehicles, although it is not very common. It is known that approximately one million Jews worldwide live a life that meets the Kosher criteria and consume food items that are Kosher Certified.
As with halal food certification studies, Kosher certification studies must comply with Kosher criteria for all kinds of inputs and auxiliaries in food production. In fact, the production line must also meet these criteria. Again, as in the halal food application, it also monitors the production of all foodstuffs processed here.
According to Kosher criteria, there are very important limitations on animal types whose meat is consumed as food. For example, it is free to consume the meat of animals living on land, ruminant and double-hoofed animals. Apart that, it is forbidden to consume pork, rabbit and camel meat, for example. It is also forbidden to consume all kinds of insects, reptiles and rodents. The birds that can be consumed are twenty bird species counted in the Torah. The meat of flying animals other than these is prohibited. It is also forbidden to consume eggs and milk of animals that are not suitable for consumption. But more importantly, these are the crucial points to be emphasized:
- Those who will slaughter animals that are allowed to consume should be specially trained religious officials.
- Before slaughter, these animals must undergo a special examination and at least no apparent disease or disability.
- Animals should be slaughtered to appropriate methods and should not be allowed to suffer while slaughtering.
- The blood of the animals must have been completely flushed.
- After the slaughter, it should be determined that there is no disease and disability that prevents the animals being consumed as food by examining their internal organs.
- The cut must conform to a special cutting method called marty.
There are also restrictions on the types of fish that can be consumed as food. It is not appropriate to consume crustaceans such as mussels and oysters and lobster, octopus, squid and shrimp, other than fish scaly and fin.
There is no restriction in the consumption of herbal products. The important thing is that it is free all kinds of pests, parasites and insects.
All stages must be in compliance with the rules, starting the source of all these allowed food ingredients, preparation, processing and coming to the table. Kosher Document proves this compliance.
Kosher Certification Process
In Kosher certification studies to be carried out by organizations with certification authority, it is essential to inspect food production companies in the production area. Firms must have documented their implementation processes on the basis of certification studies.
The most important point in the certification process is the method of the enterprise to combat pests. Any insects that are alive or lifeless, which will be detected during the inspection work, will cause the certification studies to stop. This criterion is the basis of Kosher inspections and is not tolerated in any way. In this regard, it is an important point how the company struggles with pests.
It is also an important criterion for the business to start production with a Jew or under the supervision of a Jew. Production work is considered blessed in this way.
