Many do not realize that adhering to the criteria necessary for kosher storage can be a complex matter. Due to the fact that under the umbrella of вЂKosher’ several different categories exist, anyone representing kosher must know the prerequisites for each to follow them religiously.
For those unfamiliar with Kosher it is a term that applies to foods that are fit for consumption by Jews in the observance of Jewish dietary law. These dietary laws originate in the Bible and have been observed by Jews for over 3,000 years. The laws relating to kosher foods are detailed and intricate, but a few basics can be easily understood. Foods in general can be grouped into three broad categories: (1) Innocuous: Some food items are always acceptable as kosher. Generally, these would be foods like fruits and vegetables that are not further processed. (2) Kosher When Supervised: other foods may be kosher if the ingredients and process used meet kosher definitions and when supervised by a reliable kosher authority. And (3) Never Kosher: some foods may never be kosher, examples include shellfish and pork, both of which are prohibited by Biblical edict. The foods that can be kosher when supervised are those of most concern to food processors desiring to carry kosher certification for their products. Contrary to a common myth, a Rabbi does not ”bless” a food to render it kosher. To produce a kosher-certified product, all of the component ingredients must be kosher certified – including any processing aids that contact the food. The equipment on which the product will be made must be kosher as well. In order to identify the finished product as kosher, many certification agencies have trademarked symbols that indicate the kosher status of a product as well as identifying the agency certifying the food. Some products intended for use only on the industrial market (not for retail sales) do not bear a kosher symbol and are certified by letter instead. We at Ace Endico are ecstatic that we will be able to offer Kosher products the ideal haven as a distributor, while offering our kosher restaurant customers a full range of kosher items. The coming quarter will also unveil our new Kosher Category Book, which will prove an invaluable resource to Kosher restaurants, camps, and other kosher foodservice facilities across the tri-state region. | 
