Critical Kosher Alert |
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"We get this question often, What is Kosher Australia's stance on the need for a Mashgiach Temidi [full-time supervisor] at meat restaurants?" Rabbi Gutnick's 10 minute response does not answer the question. We still have no idea how he, and KAM [Kosher Australia Melbourne] Kosher certify establishments that do not meet the most basic Halachic standard are owned and operated by non-ShShabbos without full time supervision and without any other means of verification. |
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Melbourne and Sydney Cafe/Restaurants have critical Kashrus flaws. Kosher Australia Melbourne - KAM, and its sister agency KAS [Kosher Authority Sydney] fail to employ systems that prevent nor even dissuade regular on-going substitution of very expensive Kosher foods and ingredients, with non-Kosher, far less expensive, indistinguishable, alternatives. Random visits by a Mashgiach is inadequate. The problem is compounded in those eateries, owned and managed by people who are not Shomer-Shabbat. These include but are not limited to:
This is unheard of - A Kashrus agency, which appears to be employing improper and unsatisfactory Halachic standards, yet have the gall to thumb their nose at those who seek an explanation! Moran Nadav Bird Oct 2012 So there's talk that some of the kosher restaurants in Melbourne, approved by Kosher Australia, do not have an on site mashgiach at all times....can you please clarify? I thought this was a requirement?? Kosher Australia Dear Moran, the levels of supervision at each restaurant & facility that we Kosher certify are constantly being reviewed by the Rabbinic Board of Kosher Australia and are based on both halachic concerns & risk assessment. Moran Nadav Bird So there doesn't need to be someone there all the time? Kosher Australia As mentioned, this is assessed on a case by case basis. As always, if you have specific halachic concerns, please contact Rabbi Mordechai Gutnick at rabbi.mordechai.gutnick@kosher.org.au |
A Hashgocha is unreliable if it relies on the owner to self supervise their own food establishment, even if the owner is a Shomer Shabbos. Such Hashgocha is sub-standard. It may be Halachically justifiable, but it is not effective Hashgocha. Some of the recent high profile cases were perpetrated by Shomer Shabbos proprietors. These tragedies underscore the inherent deficiency of this arrangement. Rabbi Gutnick Kosher Authority Sydney, KAS, asserts that all fleishig (meat) eateries require full time supervision - " All fleishig (meat) restaurants & take-aways have full time mashgichim."
Our investigations however, and as implied by Rabbi Gutnick's statement, have found that non-meat establishments do not have full time supervision. Although we try very hard to banish the memory, no one can forget the very bitter catastrophe of the Monsey Meat Scandal. In this sad chapter we witnessed the fantastic failure of Kashrus standards and protocols. Haredi US Jewish communities ate for many years, non-Kosher meat which was sold at a very Frum Kosher supermarket, owned by a very Frum, highly respected Yid, and was supervised by very Frum Mashgichim and a highly respected certifying Rabbi. Nevertheless, the lure of easy profit and the invitation proffered by poor security made for an irresistible temptation. The Doheny K meat scandal proves that naught has changed. |
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Moran Nadav Bird I have received an email from rabbi Gutnick in reply to my request for an explanation of the standards used by Kosher Australia in Hashgocha at restaurants. He has invited anyone who has halachic concerns regarding this issue to contact him directly. Rabbi Gutnick, We would all like to see your response. can you post on Facebook please? This is an issue fro everyone. I think we need the Rabbi to respond to kosher standards at restaurants. This conversation is going everywhere. Moran Nadav Bird The rabbi said its absolutely fine according to halacha the restaurants approved by KA are absolutely kosher! If you want further details, contact him directly! Naomi Krinsky Bottom line is .... I think we have to trust our city Rabbi's and although opinions differ where it be mashgiah tamidi or slurpee .! I believe KA n.s.w will be putting out their opinion on slurpees soon. You know the old saying '2 Jews 3 opinions' . L'chaim Osher Klein Moran the deal is like this. A Rabbi will give a hashgacha based on the fact that the Mashgichim can walk into any of the shops any time to do spot checks. So we rely on the fact they dont know when the spot checks will be we trust they won't break the rules. |
