Kosher certification seems straightforward. A food producer, store or restaurant hires a supervisory agency to inspect its operation. Typically, once a year, the agency sends out an inspector who has rabbinic training.
As long as clients continue to meet kosher standards, they can display the agency`s symbol on their packages. The symbol is an emblem, often a stylized ”K” with an ”M” added for meat and a ”D” for dairy.
But it`s difficult to know which of the 110-plus symbols to trust. Many products are labeled with only an unadorned ”K,” ”KM” or ”KD,” which could mean the manufacturers simply claim the products are kosher, with or without inspection.
The best-known kosher symbols are those of the Orthodox Union, Kof-K, Organized Kashruth Laboratories and Star K. These are among a dozen agencies big enough to watch over national corporations such as Borden and General Foods.
At every level of food handling there have been instances of incompetence or outright fraud, especially in the marketing of meat. Because slaughterhouse supervision is time-consuming, meat is the one kosher food that commands a premium price. Whoever can pass off non-kosher meat as kosher can pocket a fine profit.
There is no perfect way to divine the reliability of every kosher symbol. Most are meaningful, some are not. A concerned Jew faced with an unknown symbol should ask a rabbi to investigate the agency`s reputation.
