Kosher prices are fair: Kashrut Authority

TALIA JACOBS

KOSHER meat prices are much the same in Sydney as they are in Melbourne, according to NSW Kashut Authority (KA) president Baron Revelman.

“There are slight price differences in Sydney and Melbourne between the major cuts used at functions,” he said.

“Comparison between Sydney and Melbourne prices of a basket of ‘everyday’ cuts of meat will show almost no difference in price, with Sydney cheaper in some, and Melbourne cheaper in others.”

His claim comes in response to a string of letters published in the The AJN following mixed reaction to an article published in May on the state of play of kashrut in NSW.

In his letter, Revelman responds to claims that the KA is at the core of the escalating costs of kosher catering in Sydney. “All KA pricing is public knowledge and is freely available for all to see on the KA website,” said Revelman.

The KA president said that any difference in kosher catering prices between Sydney and Melbourne had nothing to do with the KA charges, or the prices of Sydney kosher meat.

“Contrary to the information supplied by the letter writers, in the case of the Melbourne caterers who have recently catered in Sydney under the KA, the kashrut chargers were the usual KA kashrut charges and Sydney meat was used -— and they were still cheaper.”

Responding to accusations that the KA had forced kosher caterers in Sydney to use meat sourced from only one kosher butcher, Revelman said the role and right of the KA was to act as the supervisory body for any products used with its logo and name.

“The primary role of the Kashrut Authority is as a licensing authority, and as such it must have the right to demand certain standards from those to whom it issues a licence.”

Some NSW kosher consumers have expressed dissatisfaction with the prices and range of kosher goods available. Other consumers have become so frustrated that they hired Melbourne-based caterers for their functions.