Kosherfest, a ‘Fit’ Venue for a Growing Market

Attend the annual Kosherfest at the Meadowlands Exposition Center and you wouldn’t have to eat for three days.

Hundreds of vendors exhibited and provided samples featuring some of the 120,000 kosher certified items now available in supermarkets. According to the Mintel Research Organization, kosher remains the most dominant feature on new food items, and an estimated 40 percent of a supermarket’s food products are kosher.

Because kosher certification can easily increase sales and help secure a greater market share, there have been sinificant increases in the number of applications for kosher certification – in spite of our current recession. Not only is the interest greater in staples, but in all segments, including beverage, baking and organic food categories. Even exotic sauces,

convenient heat’n serve foods, gourmet desserts and glutenfree products companies seek kosher certification. A large exhibit at the exposiion featured kosher for Passover foods – and kosher wines and samples including everything from chicken nuggets, to cakes, cookies and you name it. Kosher literally means fit, proper or correct.” It

describes food that is permissable to eat under Jewish dietary laws. The origin of kosher is in the Old Testament. The details of kashrut (the laws governing kosher food and drink) are extensive, and certain animals may not be eaten at all. And of all the animals that may be eaten, birds and mammals must be killed in accordance with Jewish law.

Many people mistakenly believe that kosher means simply that the animal or its Kosher meat was blessed by a rabbi. However, the restrictions and details of kashrut are many and include drawing all blood from meat and detailing the parts of permitted animals that may not be eaten. Further, meat cannot be eaten with dairy – and you must have separate utensils for meat and dairy products.

Glatt kosher refers to the status of meat that meets the highest standards of kashrut. “Glatt” literally means” smooth” – and even the animals lungs are examined to make certain they are smooth and free of lesions. Glatt kosher applies to meat from animals – not poultry or any other food product.

Another term becoming more popular as the kosher category flourishes is “Chalov Yisroel.” It refers to milk and dairy products that are produced under constant rabbinical supervision from milking through the packaging stages.

Many ask about the differences between halal and kosher. The use of alcohol in flavors or colors is not a kosher issue, but is a consideration for followers of Islam, who observe halal. Kosher slaughtering procedures do not meet the Islamic religious requirements. There are also other differences, but many Muslims depend on kosher certification simply because it assures no pork or pork products are used.

With many Muslims purchasing kosher products in addition to Jews who believe kosher certification means better quality, it is no wonder marketing programs have promoted the kosher hechsher (the copyrighted symbol) that appears on thousands of products. Currently there are nearly 400 rabbincal supervisory authorities that provide hechsher services.

With more than 13 countries represented at the Kosherfest show, there is no question that the tradition thrives and is flourishing.

In the 1940s there were 10 or 12 kosher butcher shops in Atlantic County. Today there are none – but households electing to observe kashrut have the covenience of ordering their kosher meats and poultry by phone or Internet and they are delivered to homes in our area.

This year Kosherfest celebrated its 21st year – and the fest has become the world’s largest trade show for the growing kosher food industry.

Best of Kosherfest

Best In Show: Luck Chen Asian Noodles in 5 flavors

Best Baked Good, Bread, Grain or Cereal: Sarah’s Tent Potato Borekas

Best Cheese or Dairy: Get Healthy America Lasagna Florentine

Best Snack Food: Bamba Peanut Snack with Hazelnut Cream Filling