Kosher label review ‘cautiously welcomed’

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CHANTAL ABITBOL

KASHRUT authorities have “cautiously welcomed” a federal government-sponsored review of kosher labelling.

Currently being conducted by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), the review is part of a sweeping evaluation of food labelling laws sparked by consumer concerns over inaccurate and inconsistent food labels.

A recently released issues paper by the COAG committee stated that there is “consumer desire for clarification of the terms”, including “kosher”.

Starting this week, the committee will kick off its consultation process, inviting submissions and conducting public meetings in capital cities across Australia and New Zealand until May 7. A final report is expected by early December.

Kashrut authorities were this week tentatively optimistic about the review.

NSW Kashrut Authority’s (KA) rabbinic coordinator, Rabbi Moshe Gutnick, told The AJN that, in principle, government assistance in defining what is labelled kosher could help stamp out, what he called, kosher fraud.

“It’s a good thing, but we need to work out how it’s going to happen,” Rabbi Gutnick said.

“Of course, the government is not qualified to determine what is kosher – this must be determined by the rabbinic kashrut bodies of the various states,” he stressed.

“Perhaps ‘kosher’ for the purposes of legislation would mean something supervised as such by an independent rabbinic body, not the manufacturer themselves.”

Rabbi Meir Shlomo Kluwgant, the kashrut committee chair of the Organisation of Rabbis of Australasia (ORA), said he could also see “significant benefits” coming from such a review in regards to fraudulent advertising, but he also remained cautious.

“The matter does need careful consideration, and I do question the driving force behind this particular initiative,” he said. “I think the kashrut authorities will share a measure of concern about it.”

Regarding plans to make a formal submission to the review panel, he added: “It’s certainly something ORA should be considering, and I’ll bring it up with the committee and see what their responses are.”

Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Robert Goot also said he would be liaising with kashrut authorities and ORA on how to proceed with a submission “consistent with Jewish religious practice”.