The NYT reports that the OU is threatening to pull it's kosher certification after charges of over 9,000 child labor violations were brought against the largest meatpacking company in the US. Rabbi Menachem Genack, Rabbinic Administrator has stated that unless Agriprocessor names a new CEO as well as new management, it will most likely suspend it's supervision which would have a devastating effect upon it's business and most likely bring sales to a halt.
It was an official statement this past shabbos: The Orthodox Union has bought out the" half moon K" aka "Koaoa". At this point any products that are not kosher have already been dropped for Koaoa and are certified as kosher by OU standards. This is pretty big news for many since items like Campbells Soup (vegetarian vegetable only) and Mrs. T Perogies are up for grabs.
The JTA blog brings to light statements made by Rabbi Nadel, the OU’s head of meat supervision.Rabbi Nadel is attempting to clear up a lot of the controversy concerning the mountains of bad press that Agriprocessor has been dealing with. The email dealt with the idea that mashgichim were unaware of anything that happened outside of the plant as that's the only place they inspect:
Recent reports show that even though Agriprocessor aka Rubashkin is shut down due to current investigations, there is no kosher meat shortage...yet. I've been told by someone at the OU that there is enough meat in their current storage for a years supply. The problem will arise should the owners of the nations largest kosher meat suppliers be indicted and end up behind bars. Who can possibly pick the slack should the plant shut down indefinitely? The answer is: nobody. Even Empire who has recently cut it's production of poultry could not possibly make up the lack of kosher beef . You may be seeing some serious kosher meat shortages as well as price increases if something is not put in place should this court battle go south.
The Orthodox Union is preparing to a launch a web-based cooking channel. The 5 minute video segments will feature OU supervised products. "It's a Rachael Ray recipe-type program," said Barry Mase, OU media sales director.One of the channel's first guest chefs, Ashley Farnell, has served as a personal chef to the British royal family, President Bill Clinton, Sir Elton John, Tina Turner and The Rolling Stones. Even more interesting is the OU is looking into programming on the Food Network.One of Bitton's allegations is that dairy margarine "was placed in a pot with other food" in the restaurant's kitchen several months ago. Kosher law forbids mixing dairy and meat.
But the OU said it was an honest error, and the food was not served.
Bitton also complains that Hennessey ordered non-kosher fish to be delivered to the restaurant during the Sabbath, when Le Marais was closed. But the fish company said the delivery was a mistake.And, Bitton says, strawberries arrived in the kitchen without having been checked by Bitton or the eatery's other mashgiach. "When I later checked those strawberries I found several worms in them," Bitton said.To make matters worse, says Bitton, Hennessey sometimes lit the restaurant's ovens. Under kosher law, that's a job for the restaurant's mashgiachs.
If you thought that Gourmet Glatt was a Kashrus debacle, there is a new Kashrus problem that is sure to make an even bigger stir!I refer to the famous Steak House in NYC: Le Marais. The former Mashgiach, Yizchak Bitton is alleging that the chef is a Jew-Hater and that he had smuggled in non-kosher food etc. He even started his own blog and website to further his cause. The OU which gives the Kosher supervision for this establishment, states that they had looked into every accusation proposed by Mr. Bitton and found that NONE of the allegations were credible.