Recent years have seen an incredible growth in the kosher
food industry, allowing the creation of various types of
rabbinical supervision. Therefore, the need for some
definition of kosher quality standard is required, now more
than ever.
In an effort to do just that, four of Europe's most
prestigious and highly regarded chareidi kehillos --
Kedassia (Kashrus committee of the UOHC, London),
Isarelitische Religionsgesellschaft (I.K.G., Zurich),
Machzikei Hadass (Manchester) and Machzikei Hadass (Antwerp)
-- have joined to form a new kosher standard called EURO-
K.I.M.
K.I.M. stands for Kosher International Mehadrin, as well as
for Kedassia, I.R.G. and Machzikei Hadass (Manchester and
Antwerp).
EURO-K.I.M. aims to develop standards for kashrus
supervision; to provide manufacturers with friendly and
efficient supervision service; to encourage manufacturers to
look for reputable rabbinical supervision; to guarantee
consumers reliable supervision; to be in cooperation with
other serious rabbinical organizations all over the world;
and to increase public awareness of the existence of quality
rabbinical supervision.
Its members are kehillos shomrei Torah umitzvos where
supervising rabbis and dayanim assure reliable
supervision encompassing absolutely all stages of
production, and receive a fixed salary from their
kehilla, regardless of the quantity of
hechsherim or products produced.
The kashrus supervisors are to have no hand in the financial
administration of the supervision.
The new organization will concentrate its efforts on
promoting the idea of EURO-K.I.M. and the cooperation among
a number of kehillos it represents to consumers and
manufacturers alike.
The first stage, financing of this new organization, which
will be shared by all the members of kehillos, will
go towards promoting the organization and its logo through
newspaper and magazine advertisements.
EURO-K.I.M. will also be promoted at kosher food trade shows
in Europe and the United States.
The first trade show will take place in Paris this month.
The Europe Kosher May 10-15 show will be the first and
largest kosher show in Europe; more than 5,000 professionals
from Israel, Europe and the United States are expected to
attend. A catalogue is currently being made especially for
the show.
Businesses and organizations wishing to advertise in it or
at the EURO-K.I.M. stand at the show should contact the
event coordinator, Mrs. N. Reh, at (323) 293 3573 or at the
constituent kehillos' offices.
Invitations for the show will gladly be provided to all
professionals, upon request, at the above phone number.
