Australia’s kosher certification body claims a Melbourne pastry manufacturer deliberately circumvented kosher requirements despite retaining their certification.
The term kosher is a Hebrew word that means “proper,” and is used in relation to food made in line with scriptural requirements.
Some of these include not eating pig, not mixing milk and dairy, and ensuring meat is slaughtered in a specific manner.
Food manufacturers can apply to be officially kosher-certified, meaning strict processes are followed, and food is not contaminated by additives that would render them not kosher.
Kosher Australia issued a statement saying it had been alerted to “concerns of improper activity” at the Chocolatine cafe on Glen Huntly Road in Melbourne.
After an investigation by rabbi and management, the group said it had thoroughly inspected the factory.
“Following this discovery, the proprietors of Chocolatine were instructed to close their doors without delay.”
The certification body says it will now conduct a full review and has implemented additional procedures to improve methods.
“In this case, the required measures for responsible (dietary laws) supervision were deliberately circumvented, constituting a grave breach of the trust upon which Kashrus certification is built,” the statement said.
“Unfortunately, even with the best safeguards, conditions of certification enforced by the most reliable agencies have sometimes been breached by uncooperative licensees, making immediate corrective action necessary.”
Kosher Australia said Chocolatine had anticipated it would lose certification, and took to social media to claim it would be ending the arrangement.
“Shortly afterwards, on that same day, we shared this statement with the public and confirmed that the establishment was no longer under our supervision and that, under the circumstances, all existing products should be discarded,” Kosher said.
The bakery has been a popular choice with Jewish communities in Melbourne, with a bakery outlet in Caulfield North.
The Epoch Times contacted Chocolatine for additional comment.
In a statement on Facebook, the company explained it no longer had certification.
“Chocolatine has decided to discontinue its kosher certification, effective immediately,” the post read.
“As part of this change, certain non-kosher ingredients ... may be introduced into our range.
“We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused.”
