Rabbi Shmuel Bornstein Reveals Challenges in Kosher Supervision for Travelers Abroad
Rabbi Shmuel Bornstein, a globally recognized kosher certification expert, appears in a new series on Kikar HaShabbat titled "On the Kosher Table," hosted by his grandson Tzviki Bornstein. In the second episode, Rabbi Bornstein discusses the various issues related to kosher supervision for travelers abroad and proposes solutions to these challenges.
He highlights that due to the recent heatwave across Europe, vegetables such as lettuce and cabbage abroad are likely to contain insects, similar to those found in Israel, necessitating careful inspection. Rabbi Bornstein also points out that local flour abroad can have similar problems, requiring attention. Furthermore, he elaborates on the difficulties kosher certifications face when supervising slaughterhouses overseas, explaining why these processes differ from those in Israel.
A particularly alarming story shared by Rabbi Bornstein involves a kosher supervisor who traveled abroad to oversee a factory without knowing English, raising concerns about the reliability of such supervision. The episode emphasizes the importance of thorough kosher checks even when outside Israel and questions the standards and trust placed in foreign kosher certifications.
The program aims to educate viewers on the complexities of kosher supervision internationally and encourages vigilance among travelers who observe kosher dietary laws.
