Kosher certification moves forward
announced a new alliance with the STAR-K Kosher Certification
organisation. The purpose is to meet the growing kosher food
certification demands of consumers and businesses worldwide.
"The new alliance between STAR-K and NSF International highlights the shared commitment of each of our organisations to help companies provide high-quality kosher certified products to consumers and to members of the food industry," said NSF International president Kevan Lawlor.
For the past 60 years, NSF has worked closely with the food industry, regulators, and food service organisations to develop standards and provide certification to ensure product safety and efficiency. This alliance allows NSF to extend its efforts to even more consumers worldwide, including individuals from a variety of cultural and ethic groups to vegetarians ands others with special dietary needs.
"We at STAR-K are indeed excited as we embark on this new alliance with NSF," said STAR-K president Avrom Pollak. "Like STAR-K, NSF is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping consumers know that they are getting real value from certified products. The bundling of our certification efforts will add further efficiency and value to our combined efforts on behalf of consumers throughout the world."
Data compiled by Integrated Marketing Communications suggests that consumers currently spend approximately $165 billion on kosher products. Nearly 10,000 companies produce 75,000 different kosher food products for the kosher consumer, and approximately 3,000 new products are being introduced into the kosher market annually. The research firm says that over the past 25 years, the demand for kosher certified products has increased at an annual rate of 15 per cent.
As part of efforts to launch this new alliance, NSF and STAR-K will develop a range of collaborative initiatives that benefit companies and consumers interested in ensuring that products meet the comprehensive testing and certification standards of each organisation. Current plans under discussion include a range of topics, such as establishing web site links, collaborating on presentations for both national and international trade shows, and establishing a joint certification program. In the coming months, the organisations will develop plans involving collaborative certification efforts, use of each organisation's mark and other parameters of the alliance.
STAR-K Kosher Certification, a not-for-profit agency, certifies food products, as well as industrial food chemicals, in over 1,000 locations worldwide. The agency also carries out research on food science and technology, in the ever-growing multi-billion dollar kosher food industry.
Star-K is acknowledged for its outstanding expertise in the field of kosher pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, and medications.
NSF International, a not for profit, nongovernmental organisation, is a global provider of public health and safety risk management solutions in the areas of food, water, indoor air, and the environment. NSF provides product certification and safety audits for the food and water industries.
