What is kosher and what are its regulations?
Please see our About Kosher page.
What are the benefits of kosher certification?
Walk down any supermarket aisle in America and you will be surprised to learn that over half the products are certified kosher. There is clear evidence that kosher status boosts market share. Companies with products that are used as ingredients by other manufacturers benefit immensely with new potential uses and clients.
Food manufacturers who are certified kosher will only purchase kosher approved ingredients. Many supermarket give preference to kosher products. Many private label companies seek kosher-certified manufacturers.
For more information about the kosher hallmark of quality and how it can benefit your company, please visit our About Kosher page.
Food manufacturers who are certified kosher will only purchase kosher approved ingredients. Many supermarket give preference to kosher products. Many private label companies seek kosher-certified manufacturers.
For more information about the kosher hallmark of quality and how it can benefit your company, please visit our About Kosher page.
Why should my company choose Idaho Kosher?
In short, we are experienced, reliable, internationally recognized and affordable. For more about the benfits of Idaho Kosher, please visit our About Us page.
Do you certify companies outside of Idaho?
Yes, we certify companies throughout the Northwest and are capable of certification anywhere in the world. We have extensive resource with our international affiliates and can help virtually every company that comes our way. We are based in Boise, Idaho and are therefore named IDAHO KOSHER.
How long will it take to get certified as kosher?
That really depends on the company. For a company not requiring changes, it often takes up to two months from the receipt of application. But if we determine the company needs to implement changes to receive kosher status it may take longer. For an overview of the certification process, please visit our Certification Process page.
What guarrantee can you provide for confidentiality of trade secrets?
Idaho Kosher is extremely sensitive to the confidentiality of our certified companies and respects the propriety nature of manufacturers’ confidential information and trade secrets. Our promise of confidentiality is clearly stated in all of our certification agreements.
We do require disclosure of some proprietary information because we need to be aware of all the ingredients, equipment, and processes to verify kosher status.
If you have any concerns regarding confidentiality please do not hesitate to contact us.
We do require disclosure of some proprietary information because we need to be aware of all the ingredients, equipment, and processes to verify kosher status.
If you have any concerns regarding confidentiality please do not hesitate to contact us.
Will other kosher certification agencies accept Idaho Kosher's certification.
Yes. We are internationally recognized and have mutual acceptance with the most widely accepted kosher agencies worldwide. We are a member of internationally recognized kashrus associations, including AKO, the Association of Kashrus Organizations.
Additionally, Rabbi Mendel Lifshitz, our Rabbinic Administrator, serves as the regional representative for several international kosher agencies. His expertise and work with agencies such as OK, OU, cRc, and many more in America and Israel ensure recognition of kosher status.
If your products are sold to a company that is certified by another kosher agency, you can rest assured it will be accepted with the Idaho Kosher symbol.
Additionally, Rabbi Mendel Lifshitz, our Rabbinic Administrator, serves as the regional representative for several international kosher agencies. His expertise and work with agencies such as OK, OU, cRc, and many more in America and Israel ensure recognition of kosher status.
If your products are sold to a company that is certified by another kosher agency, you can rest assured it will be accepted with the Idaho Kosher symbol.
How much do you charge for kosher certification?
Our fees vary from company to company and are calculated based on factors that affect our certification oversight. Such factors include: the type of products, the risk of nonkosher, the number of facilities, the number of inspections necessary, the size of production process, etc. Our fees are assessed on an annual basis. Typically, our fees are flat-rate fees that include all of our expenses. You will know up-front exactly what fees to expect. If your company changes its products or procedures, this may affect the fees. We do not charge based on volume and we do not normally charge hourly fees for our annual contracts. Unique fees are assessed to companies doing a "kosher run," for consulting servies, and for workshops.
We are proud to offer affordable rates. Our proximity to our certified companies and our low overhead help us keep costs down and pass the savings to our clients.
We are proud to offer affordable rates. Our proximity to our certified companies and our low overhead help us keep costs down and pass the savings to our clients.
Do you certify companies that have nonkosher products?
Naturally, we do not certify nonkosher products as kosher. However, it may be possible to certify kosher products produced in the same facility as nonkosher products. This is a complex issue and determination must be made on a case-by-case basis.
If my company's products are certified, does kosher status apply to Private Label products?
If you produce the same product for a third party (Private Label), the Idaho Kosher designation is not automatically extended to that Private Label product. One reason for this is because the Private Label company does not have an agreement with Idaho Kosher and can procure the product from another nonkosher source.
We do offer Private Label agreements that kosher-certified companies can offer to all their Private Label clients. Under the terms of the agreement, the third party can be licensed to utilize the Idaho Kosher symbol on its kosher-certified products. For more information about Private Label agreements, please contact us.
We do offer Private Label agreements that kosher-certified companies can offer to all their Private Label clients. Under the terms of the agreement, the third party can be licensed to utilize the Idaho Kosher symbol on its kosher-certified products. For more information about Private Label agreements, please contact us.
We are already certified organic. Our products are vegan. Do we need kosher certification?
Yes. Organic certification and kosher certification are essentially different. Both are known for their strict standards and superior quality. However, kosher certification requirements are specific and not part of organic oversight. For example, an animal derivative may be organic, but it can also be nonkosher. Even vegetarian and vegan products will require separate kosher certification due to the unique requirements of kosher.
How can I learn more about kosher and kosher certification?
Contact us! Idaho Kosher offers kosher workshops and kosher consultation. Workshops are held periodically and some workshops cater to specific industries. We can create a custom workshop for your company. These are very helpful to train your staff regarding kosher. If your company is considering going kosher, preparing for a kosher audit (with any agency), planning expansion of facilities or product lines, seeking market resources - our consulting services can help you. Contact us for more information.
