The concept of kosher food has been around for thousands of years. Since the 1920s, some foods have been labeled with specific designations indicating that they are kosher. These designations are granted by specific authorities who inspect the manufacturing plants to be sure items meet kosher requirements. Products are specifically certified as containing meat, dairy or containing ("pareve"). This has led to the claim by anti-Semites and hate groups that people in the U.S. and Canada are all forced to pay a "kosher tax" when they purchase food products with one of these designations.
First Certification
In 1923, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (the "Orthodox Union") created the first hechsher, or logo used to indicate a product is certified kosher. This logo, the letter U inside the letter O, is perhaps the most recognized hechsher today.
First Product
That first logo was created at the request of Heinz for its canned baked beans. The company wanted to market foods as specifically kosher and thus sought certification.
Benefits of Certification
Manufacturers generally pursue kosher certification to increase their market share and accommodate additional consumers without losing existing customers. In addition to Jews who keep kosher, kosher-certified products are preferred by many Muslims, lactose-intolerant individuals and vegans.
Anti-Semitic Propaganda
The main groups promoting the idea of a "kosher tax" are Ku Klux Klan groups and the National States Rights Party. These groups were against civil rights for black Americans in the 1950s and 1960s and have anti-Semitic agendas. They claim that non-Jews are forced to pay large sums to finance Israeli and Jewish activist groups because almost all products are kosher certified.
Actual Cost of Certification
Manufacturers pay a fee to certifying agencies to cover the costs involved in inspection of plants and administering the program. According to a 1975 report by "The New York Times," the cost to consumers of that fee translated to a tiny fraction of a penny per item.
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