Kosher Professionals
General Technical Issues In Vinegar Plants
A vinegar plant appears to be a mass of gigantic, non-descript tanks, each one indistinguishable from one another. That’s the first problem that mashgichim face when visiting vinegar companies. Production is hidden within the tanks, and until mashgichim develop an understanding of how the vinegar is made, it is not at all easy to follow […]
Close, But Not Quite The Same
A clarification of confusing terms such as Lactic acid/Lactose/lactones; valerian/valeric acid, glycerol (glycerin)/glycol/glycine; inositol/inositate; whey/whey cream/cream
Sugar Alcohols
Sugar Alcohols and their implications for Kosher Certification.
Chocolate
A review of the chocolate industry and its implications for Kosher.
Master List of Temperatures
A master list of temperatures with halachic or kosher relevance.
Master List Of Bishul Akum Status Of Foods
A summary of the reasons why food may be exempt from the rules of Bishul Akum.
Butter
The challenges and concerns of Kosher certification of butter
Food Service Hashgacha
There is a common misconception that being a mashgiach in a food service establishment is a simple job, and that the mashgiach in such establishments has minimal responsibilities. In reality, the food service industry, which includes restaurants, caterers, hotels, hospitals, yeshivos and nursing homes, has always been a challenging area for kashrus organizations and the onsite mashgichim that perform the actual supervision. Demands on a food service mashgiach are multiple, unpredictability is the norm, and evaluations have to be executed immediately. To help appreciate the above, I am sharing with the reader some of the intricacies that must be dealt with in a food service establishment.
Salad Days For The OU
A survey of the challenges and opportunities for the Kosher supervision of salad dressings.
“Korn” Syrup And The Real Thing
The inside story of sugar and other sweeteners from the Kosher perspective.