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| A lecture about kosher supervision |
A new initiative was launched in order to drive out kosher supervisor, who just come to collect their paychecks, according to a report by Israel Hayom.
Many Israeli restaurant owners and food manufacturers prefer kosher certification for their products, but they also complain that the process has become a racquet, with rates set at random and some kosher supervisors demanding money without even visiting the facilities.
Bait Meshutaf, a division of the Habayit Hayehudi secular party, has decided to stop those corrupt kosher supervisors by creating an anonymous hotline for citizens to report kosher supervisors, who are not doing their jobs in good faith.
A Meshutaf Bayit source said that all reports will be investigated and referred to the Ministry of Religious Services. The source said the idea came about after they received numerous complaints about the large sums of money that companies must pay for supervisors.
"The cost of kosher supervision ranges from 800 to 2,000 shekels, or about $225 to $550," the source said.
"Companies end up paying a lot of money, but there are no rules and procedures. Moreover, municipal rabbis tend to increase the cost of kosher supervision according to their will," the source said.
Division representatives say that some kosher supervisors asked to be paid in cash, without receipts, something that is clearly against the law. In addition, kosher supervisors often force companies to buy glatt kosher products that are four times more expensive than other products, and insist that these purchases are made from specific providers.
The hotline number is 052 873-6395.