4 minute read
KOSHER CERTIFICATION AWARD
By Stephanie Blitz The Architect of Words
osher Certification Award
PR%F Awards is pleased to announce that it will be adding a Kosher Certification Award to its lineup.
This medal has been created for brand makers to highlight this certification and for PR%F Awards to honor those brands with this special distinction.
Enter your beverage in its perspective category and supply us with your formal letter of Kosher Certification. PR%F Awards will give your brand the credit it deserves with an additional medal to highlight this accreditation. But first things first —we need to have the kosher conversation.
Let’s Talk Kosher 101
In the English language, the word “kosher” can be taken to mean proper or acceptable. However, kosher laws regarding food and drink are deeply rooted in Jewish scriptures and traditions. Having been around for centuries, it is a topic that is complex and filled with debates. Being that this is kosher 101, we will stick to the basics (for your sake and ours). By definition, a Kosher Certification is the stamp of kosher approval by a rabbinic agency. It is a symbol that verifies the following variables have been properly checked: Product ingredients, production facility, and production process. All to ensure the ingredients, derivatives, tools, and machinery have no trace of non-kosher substances such as pork and shellfish. The Kosher Certified symbol reassures consumers that the actual product and the process by which it was made follow all the requirements of kosher law. One of the main aspects of kosher law involves keeping meat and dairy separate. For that reason, kosher products always delineate whether they are meat, dairy or pareve (bonus term!), meaning it is free of both meat and dairy.
osher Certification Award
The Fantastic Four Kosher Certifications
Here are the four Kosher Certifications that are eligible to earn this special edition PR%F Awards medal.
1. Circle K
An industry projected to reach $25.6 billion by 2026, Circle-K Kosher products sell 20 percent better than competing non-kosher brands. The Circle-K has been around since 1935. It is a registered trademark of Kosher Certification with a longstanding history and is recognized worldwide, respected, and universally accepted. It is also referred to as OK, letting those who have Kosher dietary restrictions know the food or beverage is OK to consume.
3. Circle K-D
Circle K-D stands for Certified Kosher Dairy. It simply means that the product contains some form of dairy and, therefore, according to kosher law, cannot be mixed with a product that contains meat. Cheers to wines and spirits that pair well with fish, pasta, and other non-carnivore culinary delights.
2. Circle U
The letter “U” in a circle is the registered kosher certification mark of the Orthodox Union. They tend to have stricter standards and require a certain Mashgiach—the person in charge of supervising the facility—to oversee the production process to give the stamp of approval. The “OU” symbol by itself indicates that the food is pareve, which is that special kosher terminology mentioned earlier. It means the product doesn’t contain meat or dairy, but it may contain fish, eggs, or honey.
4. Circle U-P
Food and beverages Certified Kosher for Passover are in their own category and receive a separate label with a circle U-P. During this eight-day Jewish holiday, there are additional dietary restrictions which include avoiding consuming any wheat or grain products. However, libations such as potato vodka are completely acceptable and perfect for making l’chaims—as long as they have the proper Kosher C ertification, of course.
As always, PR%F is finding ways to raise the bar to highlight your spirits, wine, and beverage brands and your overall business model. Adding a one-of-a-kind kosher award is sure to enhance any label’s reputation and overall appeal. Dozens of different symbols indicate a food or beverage is kosher, but none will be as noteworthy as an official PR%F stamp of approval. Enter your brand today in its usual category. Let us know that you are certified Kosher, and send your letter of certification to proofawardsvegas@gmail.com. We look forward to honoring your brand with this medal of distinction. Cheers & L’ Chaim.
Stephanie Blitz was born and raised in Milwaukee and currently resides in Las Vegas with her husband and two children. She is a proud #boymom and the founder of Architect Of Words. Stephanie is a freelance writer and marketing maven who believes in the power of coffee, values experiences over things and recognizes the ability words have to connect people.
