News Archive - cRc Kosher Certification

Major Airlines Upgrade Kosher Options

February 28, 2023

February 28, 2023 Newark, NJ…Several major carriers have significantly upgraded their kosher cuisine aboard long international flights, most notably to Tel Aviv. United Airlines at Newark (EWR), and British Airways/American Airlines at JFK have both recently announced the launch of fresh, kosher meals in their airport lounges. The United offerings are available in the Polaris...

AKO Tightens Standards for New Applicants

February 28, 2023

February 28, 2023 Chicago…The Association of Kashrus Organizations (AKO) has played a major role in introducing common standards in kashrus to the kosher observing public. The organization recently issued guidelines for new members that includes such standards as the definitions of kosher hard cheese and non-kosher whey, kosher cooking in manufacturing plants, non-kosher gelatin, glatt...

AKO Rabbis Deal with Many Emerging Kosher Issues

December 14, 2022

New York…It was the day after Kosherfest in November when 125 rabbis from kashrus agencies around the world gathered at the new headquarters of the Orthodox Union in Lower Manhattan. The occasion was the annual convention of the Association of Kashrus Organizations (AKO), headed by Rabbi Sholem Fishbane. It was, said most of the participants,...

Some Kosher Concern over Albertsons Possible Merger with Kroger

November 30, 2022

KosherToday, New York… Two giant supermarket chains known for their special focus on kosher announced a possible merger but there is concern what the repercussions might be for kosher consumers. Many kosher communities rely on these stores for their kosher food. Communities like Savannah, Cincinnati, Houston and Memphis rely on kosher fare at local Kroger...

AKO Tackles Many Complex Issues At Annual Convention

November 16, 2022

KosherToday November 15, 2022 New York…125 representatives of the kashrus certification world, including some of the world’s major agencies participated in the annual conference of the Association of Kashrus Organizations (AKO). According to Rabbi Sholem Fishbane, AKO’s Executive Director, “it was one of best conferences as we changed the format to allow for more networking...

Kosherfest 2022 Opens Tuesday November 8th with a World of Innovation

November 2, 2022

Secaucus, NJ… When Kosherfest 2022 opens at the Meadowlands Convention Center on Tuesday November 8th, there will be a great deal of new and innovative exhibits and events. Almost half of the exhibitors are exhibiting for the first time, adding a new dimension to the industry that goes beyond some of the long-standing established brands....

Kashrus Agencies Move to Further Tighten Safeguards in Restaurants

September 22, 2022

September 22, 2022 The fallout from what is now known as the Manalapan kashrut scandal continues as some 85 kashrus officials met via Zoom last Wednesday to discuss further safeguards to prevent non-kosher food from getting into kosher restaurants. Kosher Chinese Express in Manalapan subsequently had its kosher certification pulled by the OK Kosher Certification...

Kashrus Agencies Face Critical Shortage of Foodservice Mashgichim

July 27, 2022

Silver Springs, Md…Rabbi Moshe Walter, Executive Director of the Vaad Harabbanim of Greater Washington was scheduled to lead a Zoom seminar this week on a growing problem facing kashrus agencies throughout the country. The session, sponsored by the Association of Kashrus Organizations (AKO), will seek to find solutions for agencies that have a critical shortage...

AKO Moves to More Training, More Education and More Members

July 20, 2022

Chicago…With every passing day, the role of the Association of Kashrus Organizations (AKO) takes on more importance, especially as kosher continues its dramatic growth. Its most recent 2022 Va’adim Convention (May 8-10) hosted by Kof-K in Iselin, New Jersey, generated more than 50 pages of notes on a broad range of topics. It was compiled...

Passover 2022 – A Holiday to Remember

April 26, 2022

New York…For millions of Jews celebrating Passover, it was a holiday like none other. Inflation caused prices to rise as much as 20% over last year in some areas. Food prices in March hit a record increase of 10%, the highest in 41 years, but it was recorded only days before the beginning of the...