Organic Processing Vol.6 #3

do.) However, you can ask the certifier to include in the contract that the total cost will not go over a certain amount that is mutually agreed upon. Of course, this contract, as well as a flat-rate agreement, would need to be renegotiated if the manufacturer were to fall out of compliance to the point where they require many more inspections. Either way, the cost of kosher certification can be affordable for companies of all sizes and often starts off at $2500 for inspections and yearly fees combined.

It is important to remember that there is an added dimension to kosher other than the commercial side that transcends the physical eye and touch. The kosher program is spiritually based. A core postulate spoken of in many ancient and modern Hebrew texts is that the intention and thought behind one’s actions has an impact on the objects one works with. As a result, these texts explain that such positive-focused production positively impacts the very nature and energy contained in the food.

When products are certified kosher, they become a magnet to the millions of kosher consumers worldwide who will not and cannot choose any other source but kosher. They will not even consider purchasing a product without a kosher symbol on it. This gives kosher products a competitive edge over similar non-kosher products.

And it should be reiterated that kosher consumers include more than the million or so practicing Jews— Muslems, Hindus, Seventh-Day Adventists, vegetarians, vegans, Buddhists and even those who are simply aware of the intense measures of care and inspection that go into kosher certification make up the scores of millions who actively seek at least some kosher-certified items for purchase in the course of a year. A kosher consumer, just as the organic, health-conscious one, is a dedicated

and thorough label reader. If your organic and natural product can also be kosher approved, it may be well worth the effort and investment.

Rabbi Reuven Flamer is founder and administrator of Natural Food Certifiers (NFC). NFC is the first USDA NOP organic certifier and kosher certification agency. NFC also offers vegan and natural food system certification. Rabbi Flamer hosts “Naturally Connected,” a New York-area local television show on natural health, healing and spiritual living. He can be contacted at nfccertification@gmail.com.